Joseph Harris Publishes New Book
Professor Joseph Harris has published a new book: Achieving Access: Professional Movements and the Politics of Health Universalism (Cornell University Press, 2017).
At a time when the world’s wealthiest nations struggle to make healthcare and medicine available to everyone, his book examines how and why resource-constrained countries make costly commitments to universal health coverage and AIDS treatment after transitioning to democracy. While conventional wisdom suggests that democratization empowers the masses, Harris draws attention to an underappreciated dynamic: that democratization empowers elites from esteemed professions – frequently doctors and lawyers – who forge progressive change on behalf of those in need in the face of broader opposition. The book explores dynamics that made landmark policies possible in Thailand and Brazil but which have led to prolonged struggle and contestation in South Africa.
Congratulations, Joe!