Refer to the following article: How Social Impact Bonds put Private Profit ahead of Public Good by Mark Rosenman
This week you read some of the conflicting characteristics of human services management. It is bounded by a mission to meet the social welfare needs of vulnerable populations and yet, embedded in business principles of revenue generating strategies and profit. In this article, similar conflicts exist. What happens if government considers putting public good ahead of private profit? OR can they co-exist? Mark Rosenman says: "Human services and anti-poverty programs are no longer spared the imperatives of capital." The author further states: "Still, the fundamental problem with all of these schemes is the question of how we as Americans wish to meet and fund public needs." See the three main questions that the author posits:
1. Do we really want to provide funding for critical public goods only when it puts money in our pockets, or do we want to preserve and strengthen the idea that we together have a collective obligation to provide the tax revenues that pay for those services, advance the common good and benefit ourselves and one another?
2. Is seeking a financial return for ourselves more "American" than working together through government, nonprofits and philanthropy to serve the neediest among us, as well our own communities and the general public?
3. Can there be any realm of our national life where the market doesn't rule, where we agree to put public good ahead of private profit?"
Based on the article answer the authors questions from a personal perspective, including the benefit and challenges.