Crucial Needs, Weak Incentives: Social Sector Reform, Democratization, and Globalization in Latin America - Softcover

9780801880827: Crucial Needs, Weak Incentives: Social Sector Reform, Democratization, and Globalization in Latin America

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801880823 ISBN 13: 9780801880827

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004

Crucial Needs, Weak Incentives studies the politics of efforts to reform education and health services in Latin America in the 1990s. Both sectors were common targets of reform―education because of its economic importance, health care because of needs to reduce great inequities of access and opportunities to increase domestic savings presented by reforms. Both sectors also have large numbers of unionized public employees, whose presence affects patronage as well as political power.

The book presents case studies that offer a wealth of new information not previously accessible to the English-speaking academic and policy community. For health care, these cover Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Peru; for eductaion, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Four chapters by the editors set out for each sector the goals, structure, and outcomes of reform efforts.

Contributors are Marta Arretche, Josefina Bruni Celli, Mary A. Clark, Javier Corrales, Sonia M. Draibe, Christina Ewig, Alec Ian Gershberg, Alejandra Gonzalez Rossetti, Merilee S. Grindle, Peter Lloyd-Sherlock, Pamela S. Lowden, and Patricia Ramirez.

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About the Author:

Robert R. Kaufman is a professor of political science at Rutgers University. Joan M. Nelson is a senior scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and a scholar in residence at the School of International Service at American University.

Review:

A comprehensive and vital contribution to the study of social sector reform.

(Wendy Hunter Latin Americanist)

Essential reading for all people interested in education and health policy in Latin America and beyond. Highly recommended.

(Choice)

A huge book with gigantic scope.

(Carol Huang Teachers College Record)

Presents a wealth of information and advice for policymakers, reformers, consultants, and academics; a great source.

(Thomas J. Bossert Latin American Politics and Society)

Provides a detailed picture of 1990s decision-making in two very important areas of social policy, namely education and healthcare.

(British Bulletin of Publications on Latin America, the Caribbean, Portugal, and Spain)

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