Reinventing Leviathan: The Politics of Administrative Reform in Developing Countries

Journal of Third World Studies, Spring 2005 by Jones, Garth N

As mentioned, Chapter 8 by Brazilian MeIo constitutes an excellent case study which goes beyond the paradigm limitations of reinvention. Chapter 9, "Reforms in the Administration of Justice in Latin America: An Overview of Emerging Trends," by U.S. American James E. Mahon, Jr., is somewhat out of context with this book's purpose. Nevertheless it deals with a vital aspect of development. It is encouraging that the author observes a "surge of legal and administrative renovation (which) is occurring around the world" including Latin America.(p. 251)

U.S. American Robert Kaufman in his Chapter 10 "The Comparative Politics of Administrative Reform: Some Implications for Theory and Practice," attempts to provide comparative meaning. Based upon his research and publications, his discussion falls into three broad categories: international political economy, institutional rational choice, and international sociology. The format of the two editors is somewhat pushed aside.

My primary complaint against Kaufman, as well as editors Schneider and Heredia, is their apparent strong conviction in the "wholesomeness" of the market. Culture was never seriously addressed, especially as embodied in religion.

A market is the mobilization of incentives. However, what may be an incentive in one culture is not necessarily so in another. My studies reveal that religion as the core of culture is as important, if not more so, than the "amoral" market in making for constructive progress. Reinvention constitutes instituting a new complex of values, and that is never easy. Old veterans of development will agree that innovation must be confined and controlled. Otherwise, organizations and societies and even states can implode.

In sum this book has merit, but it must be carefully read as to each peculiar circumstance of administrative reform.

NOTES

1. See "Reinventing Government: An Assessment and Critique," Public Administration Review, 60, no. 6 (November/December 2000), pp. 508-548 and Louis C. Gawthrop, "Public Entrepreneurship in the Lands of Oz and Uz," Pubic Integrity, 1, no. 1 (Winter 1999), pp. 75-86. Cf. Symposia Silver Jubilee Year Section International and Comparative Administration, Public Administration Review, Krishna K. Tummala (ed.), 58, no. 1 (January-February 1998), pp. 21-50 and 59, no. 6 (November-December 1999), pp.482-522.

2. See Ronald C. Moe, Administrative Renewal: Reorganization Commissions in the 20'h Century (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield Publishing Group, 2003) entire work.

Garth N. Jones University of Alaska Anchorage