Jeffrey M. Riedinger

Decentralization in Nepal

Abstract Nepal provides a striking context for examining decentralization programs because the country is highly centralized politically yet has poor communications and transportation. Its development performance has also lagged. Decentralization has been promulgated by the ruling elite in order to increase participation, defang opposition, and improve efficiency. This study shows the difficulties involved in setting priorities, planning, and implementing programs at district and subdistrict levels. It also shows that there are dangers from the capture of local progrmas by local elites. Moreover, decentralization appears to have further burdened the system of informational flows between the center and the peripheral areas without any notable improvement in efficiency.

Innovation in rural finance: Indonesia's Badan Kredit Kecamatan program

Abstract Donor agencies and governments are committing increasing resources to microenterprise credit programs, much as they earlier funded rural credit. Yet few programs embody the lessons from this earlier experience. Central Javas Badan Kredit Kecamatan program shows considerable promise in providing the access, convenience, and flexibility desired by poor borrowers while assuring the financial viability of the credit institution by minimizing administrative costs and imposing interest rates sufficient to cover costs and prevent capital erosion. Recent progress has also been made in mobilizing voluntary savings. Strong political support from the government has been crucial to the programs success.

The Philippines in 1994: Renewed Growth and Contested Reforms

Political stability, increasing investor confidence, and an improved energy situation fueled renewed economic growth in the Philippines during 1994. President Fidel V. Ramos still faced considerable opposition in his effort to reform the economic and political systems. In the political realm, Ramos continued efforts to overcome the executive-legislative gridlock, negotiate peace with the various rebel groups, and enhance diplomatic and trade relations with Pacific Rim and European countries. In the economic realm, Ramos worked to implement an expanded value-added tax (VAT), increase market competition, further the privatization of public enterprises, and complete the construction of new energy-production facilities.

The Philippines in 1993: Halting Steps toward Liberalization

Concerned that the slow pace of economic development and the persistence of social injustices in the Philippines were attributable to anticompetitive features of the economic and political systems, President Fidel V. Ramos introduced liberalization measures in both spheres in 1993. In the political realm, Ramos launched initiatives addressing the problems of executive-legislative gridlock, negotiating peace with the various rebel groups, abolishing private armies, cleaning up the Philippines National Police (PNP), and curbing the criminal activities of public officials. In the economic realm, Ramos announced campaigns to combat monopolies, push privatization of public enterprises, and address the national energy crisis. In each case implementation has been slow and problematic.

Agrarian Reform in the Philippines: Democratic Transitions and Redistributive Reform

This book evaluates the capacity of new democratic regimes to promote redistributive agrarian reform, an issue of concern to developing countries throughout the world. The author analyses the problems caused by political liberalisation and social and economic reform by examining in detail the formulation and implementation of agrarian reform in the Philippines under the governments of Corazon Aquino and her successor, Fidel Ramos. He reveals how the interaction between state and society shapes policy decisions, showing that what is needed for successful agrarian reform is a combination of sustained, forceful political leadership and grassroots agitation by peasant organisations. The author concludes that the new Philippine democracy has proved more conducive to redistributive reform than the authoritarian Marcos regime but has still failed to implement the more controversial and costly elements of the reform policy.