Too often, we gauge state capacity only at the national level.  In the current issue of Governance,  Imke Harbers  reminds us that there are important variations in state capacity within countries too.  Harbers applies an innovative technique to measure differences in state capacity across Ecuador.  Nighttime light emissions are used as a measure of economic activity, which is then compared with data on collection of direct taxes.  Harbers finds significant variations in capacity, with "clusters of high capacity" around major cities.  Data suggests that areas of high capacity are also distinguished by higher levels of satisfaction with government services.   Read the article .

 

The anti-vaccination movement is a global phenomenon.  In the current issue of Governance,   Anat Gofen and Catherine Needham explain how the Israeli government has promoted compliance with vaccination requirements.  The key has been "personalizing the service of routine childhood vaccination" -- for example, by altering the timing and bundling of shots.  This has been an informal but effective response to noncompliance.  It has required a shift away from the conventional notion of public health interventions as unalterable protocols.  Compliance is achieved by redesigning services rather than simple enforcement of established rules.   Read the article .

In the current issue of Governance, Jon Quah reviews  Public Services Reform in India: A Fight Against Corruption  by Shiladitya Chakraborty.  "Corruption remains a serious problem" despite decades of anti-corruption efforts in India, Quah observes.  While this book provides useful historical analysis, it may disappoint specialists looking for fresh approaches to corruption control.  Read the review.

And Anand Rajaram reviews Public Financial Governance for Inclusive Development in Africa by Salvatore Schiavo-Campo. "In much of Africa there has been almost no progress" on public financial management, Rajaram observes.  Schiavo-Campo "provides compelling arguments to explain this disappointing performance."  Read the review.

 

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