Explaining the Complexities of Public Sector Reform

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Can the complexities and challenges of public sector reform be explained in understandable language and clear terms? Test it yourself - for this is what the new reference document produced by unit E4 in EuropeAid sets out to do.

The reference document "Public Sector Reform - An Introduction" argues that successful public sector reforms take account of the economic, social, cultural, constitutional and political context of the state in which they are implemented. External intervention, whether by donors, lenders or foreign experts, cannot proceed on the assumption that a pre-formed set of administrative reform processes will solve the particular problems of any specific government.

The paper first sets out a definition of the public sector, then the likely faults with the public sector and the reasons for them. It then examines the impact of the type of state formation on the choice of reform strategy, and presents the variety of reforms that have been attempted. It then covers the options for sequencing reform implementation. It includes an Annex on anti-corruption reforms and an Annex containing diagnostic questions and instruments for use in the diagnosis phase of reforms.

The document has been written with the assistance of Professor Norman Flynn from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London. Mr Flynn is also co-editor for this section of the www.Capacity4Dev.eu platform.