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Administrative reform in Jamaica: A component of structural adjustment
Author(s) -
Kitchen Richard
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
public administration and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1099-162X
pISSN - 0271-2075
DOI - 10.1002/pad.4230090402
Subject(s) - structural adjustment , agency (philosophy) , obstacle , citizen journalism , developing country , politics , plank , administration (probate law) , economic growth , process (computing) , public administration , political science , economics , sociology , engineering , social science , market economy , mechanical engineering , computer science , law , operating system
Jamaica is currently undergoing a major innovative administrative reform programme (ARP). The impetus for the ARP stems from the realization that weak public administration (as prevailed in Jamaica) is a major obstacle to the implementation of economic reforms. The ARP thus became a significant plank of the World Bank's structural adjustment lending to Jamaica. The Jamaican programme is probably the leading and most ambitious attempt at administrative reform in the Third World, and the experiences and lessons learnt can be applied to the many developing countries which are contemplating or implementing similar programmes. The Jamaican experience indicates that the most important ingredients for success are political commitment at the highest level, a determined external agency, a carefully designed but flexible participatory programme which learns as it progresses, and good communication of the reform proposals. Administrative reform is a long‐term process, and it would be dangerous to pitch expectations too high.