The public option: how to expand freedom, increase opportunity, and promote equality

Part I. Understanding the public option: The limits of private action

Why public options?

The theory of the public option

Caveats and counterarguments

Part II. The history of the public option: Public libraries, social security and other successes

Mixed results in education and housing

Part III. The public option and public policy: Retirement

Higher education

Banking

Child care

Health care

And more.