Advocates of pluralist, competitive politics have regarded decentralization as a device for deepening democracy or for prying closed systems open and to give interest groups space in which to organize, compete and otherwise assert themselves. Some politicians in central governments see it as a means of delegating expensive tasks to others lower down. From a political economy perspective, this study examines the origins of the current wave of decentralizations in less-developed countries and its implications, especially its promise and limitations for rural development. It is based mainly on...

This book evaluates the quality of financial accountability and transparency in Bangladesh and makes recommendations for improvement. It compares the financial management standard and practices with respect to public funds. This book also examines what it takes to qualify Bangladesh for programmatic or sector lending in replacement of all individual project lending. Concerning private funds, it assesses the regulatory activities of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the two Stock Exchanges, Bangladesh Bank, NGO Affairs Bureau and the...

Broad-based growth is one of the four pillars of the Nicaraguan Government's Poverty Reduction Strategy. Living standards of the rural poor will continue to depend largely upon agriculture. This study takes stock of major developments in Nicaragua's agricultural sector and argues that broad-based growth can be promoted by strengthening agricultural competitiveness. Export growth is the key, requiring immediate action within a coherent strategy. The case of coffee is used to illustrate the proposed strategy. The study also identifies productivity constraints in rural factor markets, suggesting...

The purpose of this report is to provide diagnoses and policy recommendation in public expenditure management in Peru. The introductory chapter of the book provides a synthesis of Peru's public expenditure reform agenda from the Bank's perspective. Chapter II-IV examine the core functions of the public expenditure management. Chapters V-VIII explore selected themes such as the decentralization of public administration and the social sectors; civil service reform; governance and corruption; and mining and fiscal environmental issues. The report does not attempt to provide full coverage of all...

In 2000, over half of all Guatemalans--about 6.4 million people--lived in poverty, with about 16% living in extreme poverty. Guatemala rates among the worst in Latin America and the Caribbean for life expectancy, infant mortality and maternal mortality and while the education sector has made progress there are still important biases against the poor. Similarly, progress has also been made in the provision of basic utilities however, important gaps and disparities remain. 'Poverty in Guatemala' is part of a collaborative multi-year program of analytical work and technical assistance (the...

Bolivia has made significant progress in health status and equity in the last decade, due to the implementation of a series of health policies directed primarily at reducing maternal and infant mortality and controlling communicable diseases. These policies include the introduction of a focus on health outcomes in the context of decentralization, the implementation of public health insurance, the strengthening of vertically-financed public health programs and to a lesser extent, an increase in the size of the sector's workforce and greater participation of indigenous peoples. Health Sector...

'The Road to Sustained Growth in Jamaica' is part of the World Bank Country Study series. These reports are published with the approval of the subject government to communicate the results of the Bank's work on the economic and related conditions of member countries to governments and to the development community. Jamaica's economic history is a story of paradoxes and potential. It has an English-speaking and a reasonably well-educated labor force, is close to the world's largest market, the United States, and has an abundance of natural beauty that has spurred tourism. Many of its social and...

'The Health Sector in Eritrea' is part of the World Bank Country Study series. These reports are published with the approval of the subject government to communicate the results of the Bank's work on the economic and related conditions of member countries to governments and to the development community. In March 2001, the Ministry of Health of the Government of Eritrea launched a process to prepare a long-term health sector policy and strategic plan (HSPSP), with a focus on assuring equitable, quality, and sustainable health care. The Ministry outlined an open, participatory, three-step...

Inequality and Economic Development in Brazil is part of the World Bank Country Study series. These reports are published with the approval of the subject government to communicate the results of the Bank's work on the economic and related conditions of member countries to governments and to the development community. Excessive income inequality is unfair and undesirable on ethical grounds and can bring adverse effects on economic growth, health outcomes, social cohesion, and crime. Excessively unequal initial conditions are likely to lead to a perverse cycle of weak social mobility. Such is...

According to the authors of 'Zambia', poverty is on the rise in the country, its economy is not growing fast enough, the quality of economic governance is on the decline, and its public resources are not well spent. Addressing the longstanding challenges that Zambia faces in public expenditure management will require strong political will. In order to assure that public accountability is enduring and not dependent on the government which happens to be in power, it must strengthen budget processes and institutions that can provide public oversight and promote basic checks and balances. This...