The Changing Role of Government The Reform of Public Services in Developing Countries

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: healthcare, 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 of Development Administration in the International Development Department of the School of Public Policy, University of Birmingham. George Larbi is Senior Lecturer in Public Sector Management and Governance in the International Development Department at the University of Birmingham.