Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Civil Society And Democratic Governace In Nigeria

OBI, Ndifon Neji

The return to civilian rule in 1999 it was thought, had settled Nigeria’s problem of misgovernance and it was hoped that a formal transition from militarism (militarizzare) to democracy would usher in a new era of democratic order which will in turn enhance good governance based on the democratic principles of respect of basic rights, rule of law, provision of basic amenities, political stability and economic development. But after about eleven years of uninterrupted democratic experimentation, this has proved to be a mirage. Nigeria continues to suffer from insincere leadership even as the political situation worsens threatening hopes for democratic …

Non-Tariff Measures In The Mna Region: Improving Governance For Competitiveness, Olivier Cadot, Patricia Augier, Julien Gourdon, Mariem Malouche

Olivier Cadot

This note reviews what we know about NTMs affecting the regional and global trade integration of MNA economies. In MNA countries, NTMs contribute to segment markets and to raise the domestic prices of affected products, generating countervailing demands for other distortionary policies to contain the cost of living. The combination of these distortionary measures generates inefficiency and policy deadlock. Significant progress has been made, but reforms have remained superficial—from the adoption of technical improvements in border management without a change of enforcement culture, to the creation of dialogue structures that remain largely empty shells for lack of political drive. The …

The Emergence Of Indigenous Movements In Latin America And Their Impact On The Latin American Political Scene., Salvador Marti I Puig

Salvador Marti i Puig

The past two decades have seen the emergence of various political actors in Latin America for whom indigenousness is their basic social identity. The appearance of indig- enous movements at this time can be attributed to a change in the structure of political opportunities in response to globalization, which has created a situation in which policy making is no longer controlled by governments but increasingly the result of the interac- tion of a wide variety of actors. Indigenous peoples have been empowered by alliances with actors that have provided them greater capacity for applying pressure through rela- tionships, including churches, …

State Institutionalization, Governance And Decision Making In Sudan, Professor Issam A.W. Mohamed

Professor Issam A.W. Mohamed

The study here presented reviews the institutional structure of the Sudanese government. Truly, though it is stigmatized as totalitarian, the structure is phenotypically perfect. Ministry of Ministries council is supposed to cater for analyzing data concerning ministries performance, drawing strategic planning, executing them through ministries and conduct the follow-ups. Department of decision-making was created and packages for data collection and analyses were improvised. However, all these structures seem skeletal as the final decisions structurally seem to be lost between the Presidency Institution and the executive institutions. An introduced flowing chart indicates that the cycle of all decisions end up at …

Earthquake Reconstruction In Pakistan: The Case Of The Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation’S Campaign, International Budget Partnership

International Budget Partnership

The devastating earthquake that shook the Hazara region and the Azad Kashmir province in Northwest Pakistan on October 2005 led to a flood of donor money for reconstruction and rehabilitation in the affected areas. Three years later many people were still without adequate housing or critical public infrastructure. This is partly the result of unfulfilled government promises and the slow pace of reconstruction projects. This case study describes how a large coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) and citizens embarked on a campaign to jump-start Pakistan’s efforts to rebuild. The campaign was led by the Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation, …

South Africa: Civil Society Uses Budget Analysis And Advocacy To Improve The Lives Of Poor Children, Neil Overy, International Budget Partnership

International Budget Partnership

In South Africa a range of civil society organizations and coalitions have been central to post-Apartheid efforts to protect vulnerable children through social security grants. This case study describes how the persistent campaigning of these organizations has contributed to significant budget and policy changes over the last decade such as the expanded eligibility for the Child Support Grant.

The full version, short summary, and one page summary of this case study are available in English. Summaries are also available in Spanish and French.

LINK: http://internationalbudget.org/publications/south-africa-civil-society-uses-budget-analysis-and-advocacy-to-improve-the-lives-of-poor-children/

Quality Of Education Reforms: The Case Of Hakielimu’S Campaign Of 2005-2007, International Budget Partnership

International Budget Partnership

HakiElimu is a civil society organization in Tanzania that works to ensure that all the country’s children receive high-quality basic education. When developing its Programme Strategy for 2004-2007, HakiElimu noted improvements in enrollment levels, but identified a lack of attention to education quality. This case study describes the campaign that led to improvements in Tanzania’s schools.

A short summary and one page summary of this case study are available in English. Summaries are also available in Spanish, French, Arabic, and Chinese.

LINK: http://internationalbudget.org/publications/quality-of-education-reforms-the-case-of-hakielimus-campaign-of-2005-2007/

The Drivers And Dynamics Of Illicit Financial Flows From India: 1948-2008, Dev Kar

Dev Kar

This study examines the magnitude of illicit financial flows from India, analyzing the drivers and dynamics of these flows in the context of far-ranging reform. In the process, it represents perhaps the most comprehensive study on the subject matter, both in terms of the range of issues involved and the time span covered. At its heart is a dynamic simulation model which seeks to capture the complex interplay of economic, structural, and governance issues that underlie the generation and cross-border transfer of illicit capital. Due to the random nature of illicit flows, this model cannot be used to forecast such …

Participatory Rural Appraisal, Ganesh Chandra

Ganesh Chandra

Participation, empowerment and inclusion have become the new development buzzword. There has been a range of interpretations of the meaning of participation in development. Participatory development starts from the premise that it is important to identify and build upon strengths already present in communities. Perhaps the most widespread appearance of participation in mainstream development has been seen in the form of participatory methodologies of research, intended to gather a wide range of information from local people at their livelihoods, needs, and strengths, at the same time as 'empowering' them through a process of collaborative analysis and learning. PRA is a …

Institutional Constraints And Practical Problems In Deliberative And Participatory Policy Making, Robert Hoppe

Robert Hoppe

No abstract provided.

Local Government Administration In Malaysia, Ozy B. Orluwene Jp

Dr Ozy B.Orluwene,JP

No abstract provided.

Public Accounts Committees In The Pacific Region, Riccardo Pelizzo

riccardo pelizzo

No abstract provided.

“Post-Amnesty Niger Delta And The Promise Of Development: Issues, Prospects And Problems, Omololu Toluwanimi Omololu

Omololu Michael FAGBADEBO

The offer of amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was premised on the assumption that it would engender an enabling environment for meaningful development of the area. This paper seeks to project into the problems that may likely jeopardize this assumption. It identifies the windows of opportunity for a lasting peace in the region but expresses doubts about positive change in the character of the Nigerian State. As privatized state, political actors exploit the state to pursue personal and parochial interests rather than implementation of policies aimed at improving the development of the Niger Delta area.

‘The Better We Are Watched The Better We Behave’. Are Devolved Parliaments Providing A Better Window For Oversight?, Gordon Marnoch

Gordon Marnoch

The paper examines the health policy oversight systems operating in the United Kingdom, Scottish, Northern Ireland and Welsh parliaments/assemblies with specific comparisons drawn between current rules, practices and behaviours evident in parliamentary committees. Focusing on the 2007-8 parliament/assembly sessions, comparative data is presented relating to the attendance by members on committee, the amount of time devoted to health policy oversight, the percentage of committee places held by non-government party members, cross examination of key witnesses and hours spent examining the budget. Institutional obstacles and incentives relevant to effective oversight are compared.

Against The State Governance, Governance From Below & Governing Through Terrorism: Analytically Investigating The Technologies Of Power Within The Terrorist Arsenal., Allen Gnanam

Allen Gnanam

Terrorism as a violent and destabilizing act performed by terrorists, meaning loyal followers of political or religious agendas who hold resent and animosity toward a certain authority/ government (Lin, Liou, & Wu, 2007, pg. 149), will be explored and analyzed through the utilization of the governmentality perspective. For the purposes of this paper terrorism governance will refer to the governance/ control/ influence exerted by terrorists and terrorism. The focus of this explorative and analysis paper will be to identify diverse terrorism oriented technologies of governance, and analyze the ways in which these technologies enable terrorist to exert governance both indirectly …

Fisher Management Regimes And Fisheries Governance In Floodplain Wetland Of Assam, Ganesh Chandra

Ganesh Chandra

Assam is endowed with copious aquatic wealth in the form of beels, swamps, ponds and rivers. The floodplain wetlands (beels) extending over one lakh hectare, constitute the most important fishery resource of the state. The beels are considered as one of the most productive ecosystems owing to their characteristic interactions between land and water system. These wetlands are the common property resource and under different management regimes. Livelihood of fishers’ family from time immemorial is dependent upon fishing in floodplain wetlands. Fishers include the actual fishermen belonging to the Schedule castes and the Maimal community of the district of Cachar. …

Strategic Planning And Performance: An Exploratory Study Of Housing Associations In Northern Ireland, Gordon Marnoch, Roger Courtney, Arthur Williamson

Gordon Marnoch

Housing associations are a key part of the non-profit sector and the adoption of strategic planning by this sector is of considerable significance. This article provides a qualitative report examining the use of strategic planning practices by housing associations in Northern Ireland, and the impact of such action on the performance of the associations. The article also critically examines reasons for the non-profit housing sectors’ enthusiasm for strategic planning practices concluding that strategic planning is a legitimating seeking activity as well as a rational analytic process.

Governance And The Revitalisation Of The Guaraní Language In Paraguay, Robert Andrew Nickson

Robert Andrew Nickson

This article takes a governance perspective to examine the contemporary revitalization of Guaraní, a “repressed” language that is spoken by a majority of the population in Paraguay. A historical overview highlights the striking endurance of the language in spite of two centuries of official subjugation. The article traces the positive impact of political democratization since 1989 on the revitalization of Guaraní by examining four interrelated areas that are closely linked to the governance agenda: the education system, the media, the political system, and popular culture. However, the absence of a comprehensive language policy continues to limit progress in improving governance, …

Regional And Municipal Governance Of Public Private Partnerships, Louis Gunnigan

Louis Gunnigan

This module concentrates on the issues important to those who will be setting up PPPs and who are involved in government at a regional or municipal level. The module is centred on five tasks, namely:

• How to identify PPP opportunities and to find the best private sector partners for a PPP;

• How to organize a PPP programme within a government by enhancing cooperation amongst the relevant departments and ministries, local, regional and national authorities;

• How to be an effective manager and leader in a dynamic PPP unit;

• How to engage public support for PPPs;

• How …

Elite Network And Conflicts In Niger Delta Region, Ozy B. Orluwene Jp

Dr Ozy B.Orluwene,JP

ABSTRACT Our work on Elite Networks and conflicts in Niger Delta region of Nigeria is desired primarily to examine the role of elites in the Niger Delta Conflicts. It explains why volatile conflicts have come to engulf majority of the states in the region. The people and the environment once reputed for its tranquility and warmth has in the past years acquired the notoriety that has extended to all creeks and hinterland of the region. The famed Niger Delta region has become the epicenter of youth restiveness, hostage taking, cult war, and associated vices. It is hoped that clear identification …

The Niger Delta Crisis: A Three Dimensional Discourse, Ozy B. Orluwene Jp

Dr Ozy B.Orluwene,JP

ABSTRACT This paper is motivated by the desire to examine the origin of the Niger Delta crisis in Nigeria. It explains why rural poverty, insecurity and state failure are the major reasons behind the volatile conflicts that have come to engulf majority of the once peaceful state of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It argues that the Niger Delta region is the home of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Petroleum exploration accounts for over 80% of Nigeria’s foreign earnings. The petro-dollar wealth translates into a big curse for the people and the environment. An ungrateful Nigerian state …

Public Administration In Malaysia, Ozy B. Orluwene Jp

Dr Ozy B.Orluwene,JP

No abstract provided.

The Performance Metrics Boom And Parliamentary Scrutiny And Evaluation, Gordon Marnoch

Gordon Marnoch

This paper deals with a series of questions which are posed in relation to performance metrics and the practices of parliamentarians as ‘end-users’ scrutinising and evaluating public policies. Does the availability of an extensive range of metrics allow parliamentarians to scrutinise governments’ policy records and progress with specific programmes? Alternately is there evidence of ‘producer capture’ in the sense that metrics are used to narrowly ‘frame issues’, to the exclusion of key dimensions which might otherwise be subject to political scrutiny? Are performance metrics which require relatively high degrees of analytic capacity on the part of parliamentarians ignored due to …

A Review Of Empirical Research On Politicians’ Behaviour As End-Users Of Performance Metrics, Gordon Marnoch

Gordon Marnoch

This working paper reviews in detail seven key empirical studies, which examined the behaviour of politicians as ‘end-users’ of performance metrics. In addition to considering main findings, the review has been used to examine alternative research designs and methods, which may be employed in a study investigating performance metrics and user behaviour in the Scottish Parliament. The review suggests use is limited in the context of oversight and conditional on certain institutional factors.

Performance Stories A Comparison Of The Annual Reports Presented By The U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs And The English National Health Service, Gordon Marnoch

Gordon Marnoch

Annual reports can contribute to the legitimacy of public service organizations in creating a favorable story around performance achievements. It is also the case that annual reports can have unintended consequences, provoking negative reactions on the part of their readers. Health services performance stories in the form of annual reports presented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the English National Health Service between 2002 and 2005 are compared through a narrative analysis of structure and content. Conclusions are drawn as to the relative success each organization achieves in the telling of its performance story through annual reports. In …

Political Obligation And Democratic Governance: A Case Of Nigeria, Ozy B. Orluwene Jp

Dr Ozy B.Orluwene,JP

ABSTRACT This paper attempts to seek and examine a balance between the political obligation (rights of the governed and duties of government) in democratic governance. Political obligation is two sided, namely, obligation on the part of government and obligation on the part of governed. It has to do basically with such issues as necessity for law and government, organized society and obedience on the largest possible scale, as the utilitarian would say, “the purpose of government in organized society is to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number”. The citizens’ willing cooperation and obedience are demanded by the state, …

The Dual Approach To The Exportation Of European Governance, Linda Margaret Broughton

Linda Margaret Broughton

The paper argues that this is the effective process by which the EU successfully exports European governance to the CEEC without overtly pressuring states. First, this paper will discuss the type of organisation of sovereignty (the model of federalism) in the EU in order to outline the peculiar institutional elements that enable the EU to export its model of governance in its expansion. EU expansion enhances statehood (understood both in terms of policy autonomy and governance capacity) in the applicant countries at the same time that it exports its own substantive form of governance. The paper will then explore the …

Corruption: An Organisational Dilemma In Nigeria, Ozy B. Orluwene Jp

Dr Ozy B.Orluwene,JP

No abstract provided.

The Third Tier Of Government In Nigeria: A Historical Overview, Ozy B. Orluwene Jp

Dr Ozy B.Orluwene,JP

No abstract provided.

Free And Fair Elections, Riccardo Pelizzo

riccardo pelizzo

This chapter argues that the freedom and the fairness of elections are threatened by old and new (and emerging) threats. In fact, the freedom and the fairness of elections are threatened not only by political violence, intimidation and electoral fraud which can be regarded as the ‘old’ or ‘traditional’ threats, but they are also threatened by the absence of plural sources of independent information, conflict of interests and , above all, corruption