Why should businessmen support public policy education?

BUSINESSMEN support business schools. This is perfectly normal since most MBA graduates go on to work for businesses. But why should businessmen support Public Policy Schools? What would they gain from providing such support?

The simple answer is that they will gain a lot. No business - except corrupt business ventures - can survive and do well in countries in chaos. Instead, businesses survive and do well in countries with good governance. Since the goal of Public Policy Schools is to deliver good governance, there is a strategic reason for businesses to support these institutions.

The link between good business and good governance was highlighted by the father of modern economics: Adam Smith. He said, "The object of the public works and institutions ... is to facilitate commerce in general." He also added very wisely, "After the public institutions and public works necessary for the defence of the society, and for the administration of justice ... the other works and institutions of this kind are chiefly those for facilitating the commerce of the society, and those for promoting the instruction of the people."