The Limits of Institutional Reform in Development
Changing Rules for Realistic Solutions
Business & Finance, Economics, Economic Development, Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
| Author: | Matt Andrews | ISBN: | 9781139610346 |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press | Publication: | February 11, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Cambridge University Press | Language: | English |
| Author: | Matt Andrews |
| ISBN: | 9781139610346 |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Publication: | February 11, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Cambridge University Press |
| Language: | English |
Developing countries commonly adopt reforms to improve their governments yet they usually fail to produce more functional and effective governments. Andrews argues that reforms often fail to make governments better because they are introduced as signals to gain short-term support. These signals introduce unrealistic best practices that do not fit developing country contexts and are not considered relevant by implementing agents. The result is a set of new forms that do not function. However, there are realistic solutions emerging from institutional reforms in some developing countries. Lessons from these experiences suggest that reform limits, although challenging to adopt, can be overcome by focusing change on problem solving through an incremental process that involves multiple agents.
Developing countries commonly adopt reforms to improve their governments yet they usually fail to produce more functional and effective governments. Andrews argues that reforms often fail to make governments better because they are introduced as signals to gain short-term support. These signals introduce unrealistic best practices that do not fit developing country contexts and are not considered relevant by implementing agents. The result is a set of new forms that do not function. However, there are realistic solutions emerging from institutional reforms in some developing countries. Lessons from these experiences suggest that reform limits, although challenging to adopt, can be overcome by focusing change on problem solving through an incremental process that involves multiple agents.
