Understanding the policymaking process in developing countries William Ascher

Includes bibliographical references (pages 205-227) and index.

Machine generated contents note: 1. Challenges to effective development policymaking; 2. The policy process in developing countries really is different; 3. The expert's risk: endorsing ill-fated initiatives; 4. The expert's frustration: rejection of sound knowledge or recommendations; 5. Overcoming the impasses that block sound initiatives; 6. Inconsistent or incomplete enactment of initiatives; 7. Inadequate accommodation for excessive deprivation; 8. Reducing avoidable conflict; 9. Minimizing shortsighted policies; 10. Adapting policy initiatives and institutions; 11. Conclusions.

"Understanding the Policymaking Process in Developing Countries provides a uniquely comprehensive and practical framework for development practitioners, policymakers, activists, and students to diagnose and improve policy processes in developing countries across a wide range of issues. Based on the classic policy sciences approach, the book offers over 100 diagnostic indicators keyed to identify problems of policy processes, policy content, bureaucratic behavior, stakeholder behavior, and national-subnational interactions. This multi-disciplinary framework is applied to a host of policy problems that particularly plague countries experiencing the 'under-development syndrome', including aborted programs and projects, policy impasses, distorted implementation, unnecessary harm and conflict, and shortsighted initiatives. These points are illustrated through cases from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Based on the developing countries' distinctive challenges, the book also offers recommendations on improving policy content and institutions to address the typical limitations"--