Books in the Role of Government in Adjusting Economies series

Batley and Larbi examine how governments of developing countries are organized to deliver public services. Governments everywhere are being driven to adopt an 'indirect' approach - managing, contracting and regulating public agencies or private partners, rather than providing services directly.

New thinking about the management of public health services has stimulated a widespread movement for health sector reform across the world.

This book examines the challenge of reform of the urban water supply sector in developing countries, based on case studies of state-owned water companies in Ghana, India, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The implications for meeting the water needs of the urban poor, for the regulatory role of the state and for state capacity building are also discussed.

Instead these governments seek new roles in encouraging market developments, ensuring quality and providing food security by giving income assistance rather than controlling food supplies.