Is America Almost Done Being Suckered by Privatization?

A new piece in The Atlantic suggests that in cities and states across the country, more public officials are expressing “new skepticism” towards the privatization of public goods and services—a trend that community activists have long criticized.

In her new article, entitled “The Privatization Backlash,” journalist Molly Ball argues the tide is at least beginning to turn against the attitude, which has dominated for decades, in which “city and state governments have seen contracting as a cost-saving panacea.”

Ball suggests this possible political shift is a result of growing public skepticism towards privatization after its repeated failure to deliver promised cost-savings or superior services. What she hints at, but does not credit, are the numerous community organizing efforts against privatization—from charter schools to private prisons—that have emerged across the country.

Chicago’s privatization of its parking meters a few years ago is a prime example of “privatization backlash,” argues Ball. The deal was pushed through by then-Mayor Richard Daley with no public hearings and little scrutiny, despite city-wide protests against the move.