Book reviews in Governance: Fiscal federalism, Canadian agricultural policy

governancejournal — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:46:06 +0000

In the new issue of Governance (July 2010), Larry Schroeder of Syracuse University reviews Fiscal Federalism: Principles and Practice of Multi-Order Governance by Robin Boadway and Anwar Shah. Schroeder says that the book “fills an important void in the literature . . . a very complete and balanced review” of the principles of fiscal federalism. Read the review.

Grace Skogstad‘s Internationalization and Canadian Agriculture: Policy and Governing Paradigms provides “an invaluable guide” to the ways in which Canadian agricultural policy has responded — or not — to international pressures, according to Tim Josling of Stanford University. Read the review.

Promoting institutional change abroad: A “tactical approach” yields success in Russian courts

governancejournal — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:42:16 +0000

International aid programs aimed at improving the performance of governmental institutions frequently fail to achieve their objectives. In the current issue of Governance (23.3, July 2010), Peter Solomon of the University of Toronto describes a success story: programs funded by Canadian and US aid agencies to promote the efficiency and fairness of Russian courts. Solomon says that success was rooted in a “tactical approach” to reform, “grounded in flexible and recipient centered experimentation.” This is an effective way of building trust and a sense of ownership among key stakeholders. “The process,” Solomon concludes, “requires a patience, flexibility, and humility that may not be possible when a transfer of experience is fully planned.” Read the article.

Governance announces 2010 Levine Book Prize

governancejournal — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:00:31 +0000

The 2010 Levine Book Prize has been awarded to Bringing in the Future: Strategies for Farsightedness and Sustainability in Developing Countries (University of Chicago Press, 2009), by William Ascher. Ascher is the Donald C. McKenna Professor of Government and Economics at Claremont McKenna College. Special recognition is also given to books by Allison Stanger of Middlebury College, and Walter Mattli and Ngaire Woods of the University of Oxford. More details about the 2010 Levine Book Prize are available here. The 2010 Levine Prize Committee was comprised of Mirko Noordegraaf, Utrecht School of Governance (Chair); Susan Phillips, Carleton University; and Anthony B.L. Cheung, Hong Kong Institute of Education.

New book by SOG members on business and government

governancejournal — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:52:14 +0000

SOG members David Coen (University College London) and Graham Wilson (Boston University) are co-editors, with Wyn Grant (University of Warwick), of the Oxford Handbook of Business and Government, just published by Oxford University Press. The book “provides an authoritative overview with chapters by leading authorities on the current state of knowledge of business-government relations.” OUP is offering a twenty percent discount on orders.

Special offer: Subscribe to Governance, get a free book

governancejournal — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:38:04 +0000

Individuals who take a subscription to Governance in the month of July will receive a complimentary copy of Pratap Bhanu Mehta‘s book The Burden of Democracy, published by Penguin. The Financial Express called the book a “brilliantly and provocatively written essay” on governance in India. Details on how to subscribe are available here. Subscribers receive print and electronic access to all content in the journal and also become members of the IPSA Structure and Organization of Government Group, the academic sponsor of Governance.

Free download: Mehta on state spending and governance in India

governancejournal — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:00:47 +0000

The relationship between democracy and good governance is “more tenuous than we like to admit,” says Pratap Bhanu Mehta, President of India’s Centre for Policy Research, in the lead commentary for the new issue of Governance (23.3, July 2010). But Mehta examines one neglected factor that might improve the prospects for good governance: an increase in the scale of government spending.

In India, Mehta argues, increased state expenditure has improved voters’ attention to governmental performance; changed the structure of corruption in beneficial ways; and allowed government to invest in stronger accountability instruments. “A growth in state capacity,” Mehta concludes, “can, to a certain extent, mitigate the ill effects of unaccountable government.” Download Mehta’s commentary for free.

Delapalme to contribute Governance commentary

governancejournal — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:56:55 +0000

Nathalie Delapalme, Director of research and policy for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, will contribute the lead commentary for the January 2011 issue of Governance. The Foundation is committed to supporting African leadership that will improve the economic and social prospects of the people of Africa. Delapalme was previously a French senior civil servant and specializes in Africa and development policies. Her most recent position was Inspector General at the Inspection Générale des Finances.

SOG’s Berlin conference moved to November 4-5

governancejournal — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:10:49 +0000

UPDATE: The Structure and Organization of Government Research Committee (SOG), sponsor of Governance, will hold its next conference in Berlin on November 4-5, 2010. (This is a slight adjustment of dates.) UPDATED CALL FOR PAPERS. The conference’s hosts are the Hertie School of Governance and the Center for Social Investment, Heidelberg. The theme for the conference is Crisis as Opportunity: States, Markets and Communities in Turbulent Times.

Governance jumps to #3 in journal citation rankings

governancejournal — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:14:54 +0000

Governance is now ranked #3 for impact among scholarly journals in public administration, according to ISI’s Journal Citation Report for 2009, released yesterday. Governance was ranked #8 in the 2008 rankings and #9 in the 2007 rankings. Among journals in political science, Governance is now ranked #11, up from #22 in 2008 and #25 in 2007.

de Montricher receives SOG’s Kloeti award

governancejournal — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:56:17 +0000

The board of SOG, the IPSA Structure and Organisation of Government Research Committee, has given the 2010 Ulrich Kloeti Award to Nicole de Montricher of Université de Paris II.

SOG is the academic sponsor of Governance. The Kloeti award is given in honor of Ulrich Kloeti, a founding member of SOG and its co-chair for ten years. It recognizes scholars who have made exceptional contributions to research in the field through a sustained career. The award nomination credits Professor de Montricher for having “an immense impact on the study of public and administration in France.”