The Caribbean is at a crucial phase in its development. Global and local pressures have seen the region losing its competitiveness, while it remains at risk of losing out on development gains made in the last few decades. These pressures are demanding improvements in the way government operates, particularly in its policy-making and administrative

Field studies of politics, public administration and rural development in the Caribbean - examines obstacles to rural development and the historical development of plantations; looks at the peasantry confronted with technological change, socialism and agricultural policies, trends in forced labour and collective farming, rural area unemployment, land reform, agricultural marketing systems, etc.; includes case studies of Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Kitts Nevis and Suriname. References, statistical tables.

Improving public services, using State resources efficiently, and managing State agencies effectively have been ongoing concerns of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) governments since the beginning of this century. Government officials are now paying closer attention to the results obtained by their administrations. Citizens are now demanding not only universality but also quality in the services that the State provides (e.g., education, healthcare, and legal services). To meet this growing demand for public sector effectiveness, governments have formulated new laws, created or modified institutions, and implemented innovative management methodologies and instruments.Based on data gathered in 24 countries, this book analyzes the current situation, the progress made, and the challenges still facing the governments of the region in their efforts to achieve more effective public administrations.