William AscherCambridge University Press, 11/16/2017EAN 9781108417617, ISBN10: 1108417612Hardcover, 252 pages, 23.6 x 15.7 x 1.9 cmLanguage: EnglishUnderstanding 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.1. Challenges to effective development policymaking2. The policy process in developing countries really is different3. The expert's riskendorsing ill-fated initiatives4. The expert's frustrationrejection of sound knowledge or recommendations5. Overcoming the impasses that block sound initiatives6. Inconsistent or incomplete enactment of initiatives7. Inadequate accommodation for excessive deprivation8. Reducing avoidable conflict9. Minimizing shortsighted policies10. Adapting policy initiatives and institutions11. Conclusions.
