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The politics of core public sector reform in Rwanda

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  • Benjamin Chemouni

Abstract

This paper’s objective is to provide a better understanding of the politics underpinning core public sector reforms (PSR) in Rwanda. It analyses five core public sector functions: government coordination; public finance management (focusing on budgeting and public procurement); civil service management; external audit; and anti-corruption policies. For each, it identifies the origins of reforms and analyses to what extent they led to change in both rules and practice. Overall, the paper argues that PSR has been successful and so strongly embraced because rulers considered an effective public sector as a crucial tool for their legitimation strategy, which was based on achieving rapid socio-economic progress and projecting an image of impartiality.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Chemouni, 2017. "The politics of core public sector reform in Rwanda," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series esid-088-17, GDI, The University of Manchester.
  • Handle: RePEc:bwp:bwppap:esid-088-17
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frederick Golooba-Mutebi, 2013. "Politics, political settlements and social change in post-colonial Rwanda," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series esid-024-13, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    2. Levy, Brian, 2014. "Working with the Grain: Integrating Governance and Growth in Development Strategies," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199363810, Decembrie.
    3. Andrews,Matt, 2013. "The Limits of Institutional Reform in Development," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107016330.
    4. Isaksson, Ann-Sofie & Bigsten, Arne, 2012. "Institution Building with Limited Resources: Establishing a Supreme Audit Institution in Rwanda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(9), pages 1870-1881.
    5. Pritish Behuria, 2016. "Centralising rents and dispersing power while pursuing development? Exploring the strategic uses of military firms in Rwanda," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(150), pages 630-647, October.
    6. David Booth, 2011. "Introduction: Working with the Grain? The Africa Power and Politics Programme," IDS Bulletin, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 42(2), pages 1-10, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Raphael, Dennis & Komakech, Morris, 2020. "Conceptualizing and researching health equity in Africa through a political economy of health lens – Rwanda in perspective," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 19(C).
    2. Bert Ingelaere & Réginas Ndayiragije & Marijke Verpoorten, 2022. "Political representation in the wake of ethnic violence and post-conflict institutional reform: Comparing views from Rwandan and Burundian citizens," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2022-142, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).

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