Watch what you commit to write

Would you like to read a paper that begins this way:

The focus of reforms in the developing world has moved from getting prices right to getting institutions right. This reflects the recognition that markets are unlikely to work well in the absence of a predictable and legitimate set of rules that support economic activity and dispense its fruits. “Governance reforms” have become the buzzword of bilateral donors and multilateral institutions, in much the same way that liberalization, privatization and stabilization were the mantras of the 1980s.

But what kind of institutions should reformers strive to build? It is easier to list the functions that good institutions perform than it is to describe the shape they should take. Desirable institutions provide security of property rights, enforce contracts, stimulate entrepreneurship, foster integration in the world economy, maintain macroeconomic stability, manage risk-taking by financial intermediaries, supply social insurance and safety nets, and enhance voice and accountability. But as the variety of institutional forms that prevail in the advanced countries themselves suggests, each one of these ends can be achieved in a large number of different ways.

Furthermore, developing nations are different from advanced countries in that they face both greater challenges and more constraints. That this may require “appropriate” institutions that differ from those that prevail in rich countries is an old theme that goes back at least to Alexander Gerschenkron.

I would too. The trouble is I have to write it!

Watch this space.

Comments

[notsneaky]

This kind of thing can sometimes serve as a useful commitment device when you're stuck in a procrastination game with your intertemporal self.

[Andrew]

I think it goes back to List, before Gerschenkron.

Then there are all those people up in CGIS who have to figure out how to implement the institutions, or why proper design is not guaranteed.

[Mike Huben]

It sounds to me as if nations have to sink or swim during institution building. And that incompetant institutions permit a host of ills from both internal and external sources.

Could trade restrictions facilitate internal development of competent institutions? Have they historically? Have they done so by accident or design?

[Joao]

On the way back from Cambodia, I find myself once again craving for someone to articulate that, in this process of buiding institutions, prioritization is as difficult as it is crucial... ministries with very very limited pools of capacity to do what's in their plate already, and different donors pulling them to undertake yet a few other functions, but with the same pay... lack of success leads to lack of ownership, lack of motivation, lack of confidence, and a new ministerial call for help, which prompts more donors to come aboard each and give them some more different things to do...

How could this dimension of the problem be so ignored? Even if we could identify what to prioritize in building institutions, does anyone want to bet that we would never get the donors stop pulling ministries apart?

[Random African]

"Could trade restrictions facilitate internal development of competent institutions? Have they historically? Have they done so by accident or design?"

Somaliland

[Per Kurowski]

Dani Rodrik “Desirable institutions provide security of property rights, enforce contracts, stimulate entrepreneurship, foster integration in the world economy, maintain macroeconomic stability, manage risk-taking by financial intermediaries, supply social insurance and safety nets, and enhance voice and accountability.”

No! Put all these institutions in the same sack and you are bound to go wrong. “Provide security of property rights” is worlds apart from “stimulate entrepreneurship and manage risk-taking by financial intermediaries” In the first case you are creating the conditions for the market and society to interact in a civilized form, with the other two you might run the risks of interfering with the markets and the society interacting in a civilized form.

What has always astonished me how governments feel they can graduate into the next level without being required to complete the basic prerequisite courses.

[Jack]

Buried as I am in a daunting round of take-home finals, I sympathize. But it sounds like the synthesis will have been worth the effort.

[David Dunn]

Your site Cool :)
I am very pleased with the service. Thank you for the extra 4 samples. When dealing with people so far away, and through the internet, I sometimes wonder if I will even receive anything for my money. I would not hesitate to use your services again or to recommend you to friends. Again, Thank You.

[Emre Ozcelik]

"[D]eveloping nations are different from advanced countries in that they face both greater challenges and more constraints. That this may require 'appropriate' institutions that differ from those that prevail in rich countries is an old theme that goes back at least to Alexander Gerschenkron".

This is a good summary of the major dilemma facing the developmental process of institution-building. However, it seems to me that this dilemma is bound to remain unresolved, insofar as we focus our attention on and preoccupy with the "good institutions" of the North, which are, by definition and construction, deemed to be conducive to development. The heart of the problem may well lie in the "bad institutions" of the South. If this is the case, the priority is to be put on thinking about the ways of getting rid of the "institutional pollution" generated by bad institutions in the South, rather than dealing with building Northern-type good institutions without eliminating the bad ones.

The idea here is, as a matter of fact, as simple as Tolstoy's opening sentence of Anna Karenina: "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way".

Developed countries are all alike (in that they were all able to get rid of "bad" institutions first, and then build good institutions); every underdeveloped country is underdeveloped in its own way (in that each of them has been preserving their historically unique "bad" institutions, in juxtaposition to their good efforts to adopt good policies and to build good institutions).

Such a simple shift of focus from "the good" to "the bad" can make a big difference in terms of the workability of institution-building in the underdeveloped world, I suppose.

[rolex watches]

People usually say :"Seeing is believing." http://www.tt88times.com
Each attempt has a corresponding gain, in part or obvious, or vague. At least we have the kind of satisfaction After I bought this watch ,in a sense,it means a great deal to me. http://www.fashionhairfu.com

[morbid obesity]

I did not like, but if you have to write anything you can do!

[lachou]

I like these articles , democratic countries formulate policies are both team and the interests of the people of power, but the undemocratic countries rarely for the interests of the people, http://www.jerseysky.com it is the sorrow of many democracy, I like the western and northern state policy.
http://www.cheapsaleing.com

[Sarah Wallet]

is clearly replica watches the job for our legal fraternity to engage the establishment to necessary breitling watches steps by filing petitions in various courts. IF one fails another should be cartier watches filed Why is everyone just montblanc watches willing to accept power cuts? Don't you think that patek philippe watches having continious power is your right? If people aren't going to demand rado watches 24X7 power, don't expect anything zenith watches

to change. The taking every one to task. It is rolex watcheto well paid

http://www.toplvstore.com/

http://www.louisvuitton4love.com/louis-vuitton-popincourt-long-m40008-p-913.html

http://www.louisvuitton4love.com/

[jordan shoes]

Thanks for sharing your article. I really enjoyed it. I put a link to my site to here so other people can read it. Came across your blog when I was searching bing I have found the bit of info that
I found to be quite useful.

[cheap jordans]

I think this is a great post. One thing that I find the most helpful is number five. Sometimes when I write, I just let the flow of the words and information come out so much that I loose the purpose. It’s only after editing when I realize what I’ve done. There’s defiantly a lot of great tips here I’m going to try to be more aware of.

[jordan shoes]

It's good to see this information in your post, i was looking the same but there was not any proper resource, than now i have the link which i was looking for my research.

[gold Guild Wars 2]

Buried as I am in a daunting round of take-home finals, I sympathize. But it sounds like the synthesis will have been worth the effort.
How could this dimension of the problem be so ignored? Even if we could identify what to prioritize in building institutions, does anyone want to bet that we would never get the donors stop pulling ministries apart?

[gold Guild Wars 2]

Buried as I am in a daunting round of take-home finals, I sympathize. But it sounds like the synthesis will have been worth the effort.
How could this dimension of the problem be so ignored? Even if we could identify what to prioritize in building institutions, does anyone want to bet that we would never get the donors stop pulling ministries apart?

[gold Guild Wars 2]

Buried as I am in a daunting round of take-home finals, I sympathize. But it sounds like the synthesis will have been worth the effort.
How could this dimension of the problem be so ignored? Even if we could identify what to prioritize in building institutions, does anyone want to bet that we would never get the donors stop pulling ministries apart?

[Account Deleted]

raf

Thanks so much.

[Account Deleted]

celikraf
celikraf

thanks ...

[Account Deleted]

Raf
raf

Thanks to you ...

[Account Deleted]

Many places and centers offer business and trade promotions to both buyers and supplier.What about the differences in skill intensities across industries? The job losses in the relatively unskilled-labor intensive battery industry should have little effect on the relatively skilled-labor intensive machinery
sexshop
sexyshop
sexshop online