Comments on: The origin of African checks and balances? http://chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/ International development, politics, economics, and policy Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:53:48 +0000 hourly 1 By: ColoredOpinionshttp://chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/comment-page-1/#comment-3474 ColoredOpinions Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:12:00 +0000 http://dev.chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/#comment-3474 Decentralization of power allways has two aspects. Historically in dutch society powersharing came through the forming of political parties at the end of the 19th century. But the right to vote for women came in 1920. Some say the threat of Russia's revolution triggered that step forward. Decentralization of power allways has two aspects. Historically in dutch society powersharing came through the forming of political parties at the end of the 19th century. But the right to vote for women came in 1920. Some say the threat of Russia’s revolution triggered that step forward.

]]> By: Chris Blattmanhttp://chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/comment-page-1/#comment-3457 Chris Blattman Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:45:00 +0000 http://dev.chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/#comment-3457 I'm not going to delete the previous two comments, since they are (more or less) civil. I'd prefer if the comments section did not further degenerate into anonymous mudslinging at other commentators. Also, I'd suggest that these specific anonymous comments probably belong on the blog in question, not here. I’m not going to delete the previous two comments, since they are (more or less) civil. I’d prefer if the comments section did not further degenerate into anonymous mudslinging at other commentators. Also, I’d suggest that these specific anonymous comments probably belong on the blog in question, not here.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/comment-page-1/#comment-3456 Anonymous Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:30:00 +0000 http://dev.chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/#comment-3456 Think of a doctor working in an HIV hospital, "Adventures in the HIV Ward" does not sound appropriate does it? Think of a doctor working in an HIV hospital, “Adventures in the HIV Ward” does not sound appropriate does it?

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/comment-page-1/#comment-3455 Anonymous Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:28:00 +0000 http://dev.chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/#comment-3455 @ rupert simons<br/><br/>I have a quip about the title of your blog - Adventures in Development.<br/><br/>Development is a matter of life and death to many people, and calling it an adventure is rather patronizing.<br/><br/>We should not take life too seriously, OK, and I see your point, but some people struggling to help their countries develop might take offense that you are there as an adventurer or development tourist:<br/><br/>http://chrisblattman.blogspot.com/2008/03/development-tourism.html<br/><br/>There is a fine line between working in development and being a development tourist. @ rupert simons

I have a quip about the title of your blog – Adventures in Development.

Development is a matter of life and death to many people, and calling it an adventure is rather patronizing.

We should not take life too seriously, OK, and I see your point, but some people struggling to help their countries develop might take offense that you are there as an adventurer or development tourist:

http://chrisblattman.blogspot.com/2008/03/development-tourism.html

There is a fine line between working in development and being a development tourist.

]]> By: Rupert Simonshttp://chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/comment-page-1/#comment-3450 Rupert Simons Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:49:00 +0000 http://dev.chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/#comment-3450 Wise words - I worry that the Governance Reform Commission is grinding very slowly though. Some people at the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been doing a lot on this, hopefully you will find time to meet them! Wise words – I worry that the Governance Reform Commission is grinding very slowly though. Some people at the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been doing a lot on this, hopefully you will find time to meet them!

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/comment-page-1/#comment-3448 Anonymous Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:08:00 +0000 http://dev.chrisblattman.com/2008/07/28/the-origin-of-african-checks-and-balances/#comment-3448 Decentralization is no silver bullet. Indeed, its effect varies widely across time and countries, and often it can make things a lot worse. See Daniel Treisman's book "The Architecture of Government: Rethinking Political Decentralization" for one of many criticisms. Decentralization is no silver bullet. Indeed, its effect varies widely across time and countries, and often it can make things a lot worse. See Daniel Treisman’s book “The Architecture of Government: Rethinking Political Decentralization” for one of many criticisms.

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