Challenging the State Crisis and Innovation in Latin America and Africa [Paperback]

This book examines the development of Latin America and Africa in the face of challenging political and economic crises.The 1980s and 1990s posed great challenges to governments in Latin America and Africa deeply affected by economic and political crises. Using case studies of Mexico and Kenya, this text shows how a decade of sustained crisis became a source of innovations in ideas and policies.The 1980s and 1990s posed great challenges to governments in Latin America and Africa deeply affected by economic and political crises. Using case studies of Mexico and Kenya, this text shows how a decade of sustained crisis became a source of innovations in ideas and policies.The 1980s and 1990s posed great challenges to governments in Latin America and Africa deeply affected by economic and political crises that weakened their ability to encourage economic development and provide for effective governance. Using case studies of Mexico and Kenya this book shows how a decade of deep and sustained crisis also became a decade of innovations in ideas, policy directions, political coalitions, and government institutions. Merilee Grindle argues that political leadership and structures of political power, while frequently part of the problem of underdevelopment, are also part of the solution in building more efficient, effective and responsive governments.1. Challenging the state: a decade of crisis; 2. Crisis and the state: evidence from Latin America and Africa; 3. Crisis and breakdown in Mexico and Kenya; 4. Imposing state authority; 5. Managing the economy; 6. Administering the public good; 7. Responding to society; 8. States of change. She presents considerable statistical and other data to flesh out her account of recent history....The story she tells, and the mix of data, will make a useful resource for upper-division undergraduate collections. Choice This carefully researched, admirably structured, persuasively argued book is a welcome addition to the literature on the colc,