Challenging the State (Hardcover)

Merilee S. Grindle

ISBN 10: 0521551064 / ISBN 13: 9780521551069

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1996

About this Item

Hardcover. The 1980s and 1990s posed great challenges to governments in Latin America and Africa. Deep economic crises and significantly heightened pressure for political reform severely taxed their capacity to manage economic and political tasks. These crises pointed to an intense need to reform the state and redefine its relationship to the market and civic society. This book examines the paradox of states that have been weakened by crisis just as their capacity to encourage economic development and provide for effective governance most needs to be strengthened. Case studies of Mexico and Kenya allow the author to analyse the opportunities available for political leadership in moments of crisis, and the constraints on action provided by leadership goals and existing political and economic structures. She argues that while leaders and political structures are often part of the problem, they can also be part of the solution in building more efficient, effective, and responsive states. Using case studies of Mexico and Kenya this book shows how a decade of deep and sustained crisis also became a decade of innovations in ideas, policy directions, political coalitions, and government institutions. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780521551069

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Challenging the State (Hardcover)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Publication Date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521551064
• ISBN 13: 9780521551069
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

The 1980s and 1990s posed great challenges to governments in Latin America and Africa deeply affected by economic and political crises that weakened their ability to encourage economic development and provide for effective governance. Using case studies of Mexico and Kenya this book shows how a decade of deep and sustained crisis also became a decade of innovations in ideas, policy directions, political coalitions, and government institutions. Merilee Grindle argues that political leadership and structures of political power, while frequently part of the problem of underdevelopment, are also part of the solution in building more efficient, effective and responsive governments.

Book Description

The 1980s and 1990s posed great challenges to governments in Latin America and Africa deeply affected by economic and political crises. Using case studies of Mexico and Kenya, this text shows how a decade of sustained crisis became a source of innovations in ideas and policies.