Governance Reform in the Middle East and North Africa

This book explores the issues and challenges involved in public sector reform in the Middle East and North Africa region by examining ten case studies of the most successful and/or interesting reforms that have been attempted during the past decade. The cases span a range of countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the West Bank and Gaza. These include reforms to core systems and processes, such as cabinet coordination mechanisms, public financial management, and civil service reform, as well as regulatory and service delivery improvements in line departments. Some were impressive successes, whereas others failed to deliver as promised. Taken together, these cases offer a host of important lessons from which future reformers in both the Middle East and elsewhere can benefit. The book also discusses the unique issues and challenges confronting governance and public sector reform in the region and the implications for future reforms in the wake of the recent changes gripping the region.