The Changing Role of Government

Batley and Larbi examine how governments of developing countries are organized to deliver public services. The book is based on comparative international studies of four service sectors: Health care, urban water, business promotion and agricultural marketing. Governments everywhere are being driven to adopt an 'indirect' approach - managing, contracting and regulating public agencies or private partners, rather than providing services directly. It questions how governments are responding and whether this approach is appropriate to the capacities of developing countries.

RICHARD BATLEY is Professor in the International Development Department of the School of Public Policy at the University of Birmingham, UK. His research interests are in governance, service delivery and urban policy in India, Latin America and Africa.

GEORGE LARBI is Senior Lecturer in Public Sector Management and Governance in the International Development Department at the University of Birmingham, UK. He works on new approaches to public management, service delivery and governance. He has experience in Africa, the UK and Kazakhstan. He is Assistant Editor of the journal Public Administration and Development.