I agree that Hirshmann is going to lay out any plan towards some ideal government but I do think he gets to some of the problems confronting good governance and so shed light on areas that need consideration. (As and aside I am far from hold the view that “ideal” governance is possible—it’s always going to be contextual in both time and place due to the dynamic nature of social life).
If you’ve not already put his “The Passions and the Interests” you might also find it interesting. In the case of ideal governance it may have some pointers to Constitutional structures that are better at aligning interests (if they can be well enough defined) of the government agents with the societal principles while working to mitigate the passions of the agents.
I’ve not read it but looking at the title “Shifting Involvements: Private Interests and Public Action” may also be relevant to thinking things though.
I agree that Hirshmann is going to lay out any plan towards some ideal government but I do think he gets to some of the problems confronting good governance and so shed light on areas that need consideration. (As and aside I am far from hold the view that “ideal” governance is possible—it’s always going to be contextual in both time and place due to the dynamic nature of social life).
If you’ve not already put his “The Passions and the Interests” you might also find it interesting. In the case of ideal governance it may have some pointers to Constitutional structures that are better at aligning interests (if they can be well enough defined) of the government agents with the societal principles while working to mitigate the passions of the agents.
I’ve not read it but looking at the title “Shifting Involvements: Private Interests and Public Action” may also be relevant to thinking things though.