Administering development in third world : constraints and choices

The governments of most Third World coun tries are actively involved in promoting the development of their peoples. While these activities have been of some benefit, there is no doubt that many of the programmes have fallen far short of their stated objectives. And as more and more programmes are being initiated, the task of implementation has become in creasingly complex.

A question that is currently being asked everywhere is: What is hampering the develop ment effort? There are no simple answers to this vitally important question, but recent studies have shown that an endemic source of trouble is the inefficiency of the administrative system. Moreover, these studies indicate that administrative capability, which is in short supply everywhere, is particularly scarce in the Third World.

While a great deal of literature exists on the appropriate policies and programme designs for development, the administrative dimension remains largely neglected. This book is a signi ficant effort to fill that lacuna.

After reviewing the current thinking on develop ment, Dr Mathur describes the inadequacies of the existing administrative system and its inability to cope with the newer developmental challenges. He then proceeds to discuss the methods being presently considered for adapting the administrative apparatus to the requirements of people-centred development.

Lucid and pragmatic, this is a major book which will appeal to all those involved in the development effort in Third World countries planners, administrators, trainers, scholars and donor agencies.