3 Review(s)

Governance is central to mass prosperity since it affects both the prospects for enhanced and sustained income growth as well as non-income indicators of human development. This volume, edited by Anil Deolalikar, Shikha Jha and Pilipinas Quising, puts together cogent and well-rounded analyses by leading scholars on this topic and hence provides an in-depth and prescient perspective on governance in the Asia-Pacific countries. As such, this is an invaluable contribution and will be welcomed by academics and students as well as policymakers.' - Raghbendra Jha, Australian National University 'This is an outstanding set of essays on the state of, and changes in, public services in developing Asia, paying particular attention to evidence and lessons and examining the role that governance and citizen empowerment can play in improving public service delivery. The themes cover the complex relationship between governance and economic development; the delivery of public services as the face of governance; and the role of empowerment in improving the delivery of public services. Each chapter, written by an acknowledged expert, offers an insightful review of the debates and evidence, and a meticulous distillation of policy implications. A tour de force that will be indispensable for both policymakers and scholars in this field.' - Raghav Gaiha, University of Delhi, India Governance in Developing Asia is one of the first books of its kind to provide an overview of the role that better governance and citizen empowerment can play in improving public service delivery in developing Asia. The World Development Report 2004 set a framework for public service delivery in terms of the short and long roads to accountability of service providers to citizens. More than a decade on, this important book revisits the issue and departs from the WDR framework, highlighting its shortcomings and offering alternative solutions. The contributors present fresh evidence on the relationship between governance and development outcomes, including growth and indicators of living standards. They argue that the Asia-Pacific region must do better in delivering essential public services if it wishes to continue improving the quality of life for millions of its people. They show how the quantity and quality of public services in a country can be improved if the government actively solicits citizen involvement in service delivery. Researchers and students of public policy and Asian studies will find this to be a useful read. Public policymakers and practitioners in government and non-government agencies will draw important lessons from the issues raised and solutions proposed in this book. Contributors: Y. Aiyar, B. Babajanian, S. Bhatnagar, G. Brosio, J.J. Capuno, J. de Ree, A.B. Deolalikar, X. Han, S. Jha, H.A. Khan, M. Pradhan, M.G Quibria, P.F. Quising, K. Sen, M. Walton, Z. Zhuang