The quality and expertise of the civil service is essential in building the abilities countries have to solve their own problems. The scientific and comparative study of civil services across developing countries, however, lags greatly behind. This dissertation presents innovative empirical tools and evidence to capture how bureaucracies impact socio-economic outcomes, and the extent to which policy experts are victim of politicization. Two main policy fields are covered: the Millennium Development Goals and the fight against corruption. The study also illustrates how certain governance arrangements such as the functioning of Congress or the party system can improve or hinder the quality of the civil service.
Date: 29 October 2014
Time: 14:00 - 15:30
