Sadly, no. COVID-19 has swept aside any such romantic notions, quickly chart-topping our global list of seemingly insoluble problems, and providing depressingly further evidence - if any were needed - of our human species inclination for silly, knee-jerk reactions, such as toilet paper hoarding, presumably based on the totally false premise of precarious supply.

COVID-19, of course, didn't exist when this book was written, but now looms fearfully large over everything.

All of which, depending on your mood, would seem to temper our present chaos with a need to suspend irony - if not disbelief - in considering a splendidly rational book seeking to show how we can solve 'the world's biggest problems.'

Andrew Wear is an Australian public policy academic, with additional degrees in politics, law and economics, and, perhaps unusually for someone with this background, he writes clearly and well.

Despite garnishing his text with tables, graphs and more than 20 pages of footnotes, he has fashioned a flood of ideas that flow smoothly towards summary and conclusion.

And it is easy to see why. Wear passionately believes in what he is telling us, obviously regarding it as an optimistic engagement with humanity, rather than just a bureaucratic exercise.

Gathering information across many countries and cultures, often by personal interview, Wear catalogues compelling examples of successful problem solving over a diverse range of subjects, from climate change and improved democracy, to multiculturalism and gender equality.

It was no surprise to find the Nordic States, especially Norway, Denmark and Sweden, setting the pace in terms of well-being, environmental sustainability and productivity.

But I was surprised to read of South Korea's impressive economic, social and health-care development since surviving as a war-torn and impoverished country to become ranked 12th-largest world economy, with an extended life expectancy of thirty years achieved in less than six decades.

It is important to note, overall, that common global factors in achieving good results were clearly linked to a strong sense of community, an engaged democracy, and trust, in the people, of course, but more significantly, their leaders.

And it will no doubt raise bitter memories of Australia's climate wrangling to read that yes, a tax on carbon really is a sensibly effective response to climate change.

Denmark is achieving a low-carbon future better than any other country, and contrary to tedious claims about the process risking a damaged economy, managing to have one of the highest standards of living in the world.

In fact, an economy is much more likely to be improved rather than damaged by clever use of renewable energy.

In Denmark, business and community investment in wind turbines have been an integral part of this success.

But Danish energy-policy expert, Fin Mortensen, says: 'You cannot leave it to the markets alone . . . when you have a carbon tax and an emissions trading scheme in place . . . you won't have the need for subsidies.'

Here's a few key points regarding other problems from around the world: Education - find the best people to come into teaching and pay them well.

Violence and crime - shift the focus from punishment to prevention. Establish partnerships that bring together police, local governments, licensing authorities and health services.

Gender inequality - close the gender wage gap, improve paid parental leave, and make child-care affordable. Urban renewal - curate cities to facilitate innovation.

The most innovative cities are home to the best kind of density - the 'downtown mix of towers, older low-rise industrial buildings and denser suburbs'... And much more.

This is a valuable book on practical possibilities for a better world, concluding with a useful summary of evidence gathered., and a list of things Governments can do.

The ones that particularly resonate with me start with reducing carbon emissions.

COVID-19 will certainly result in carbon reduction, which could provide incentive to continue the progress when we cross the so-called recovery 'bridge'.

Improving healthcare also tops my list, since a healthy population is more likely to be productive as well.

Redesigning the tax system is that perpetually good idea that never seems to reach fruition.

Sadly, market driven governments have fuelled a negative perception of taxation as something to avoid, rather than willingly engage.

Andrew Wear's global survey clearly shows that universal health and welfare services, cultural and economic participation, whereby taxation is regarded positively, will improve democracy, encourage trust in leadership, and help create and sustain well-being, equality and tolerance.

And that sounds to me like a very good result.

But first, and I'm sure Andrew would agree, let's work calmly and collectively to defeat COVID-19.