Culture, Development, and Public Administration in Africa

In the past, public administrators have used Western models in the development of emerging countries. Umeh (public affairs and administration, California State U., East Bay) and Andranovich (political science, California State U., Los Angeles) suggest that these models are inadequate and local cultures must become the basis for administration. They consider prior models and present an "interpretive approach" to understanding development in South African Development Community (SADC) nations of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. They describe characteristics of administration, the influence of culture, economic development, democratization, decentralization, and post- apartheid South Africa. The book is intended for college students, policymakers, managers, and administrators. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Greg Andranovich is Professor of Political Science at California State University, Los Angeles, where he teaches in the public administration program. His research is in urban and regional policy making, and comparative public administration; his publications focus on issues of economic growth and development and collaborative processes.

Ogwo Jombo Umeh is Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Affairs and Administration at California State University, East Bay. His research is in comparative and development public administration and focuses on sub-Saharan Africa, democratic governance, organizational management and public policy. His publications focus on comparative administration and democratic governance issues.