POLITICAL ECONOMY OF PUBLIC POLICIES: SOME INSIGHTS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT: AND SOME INSIGHTS FROM DISTORTIONS TO AGRICULTURAL MARKETS

Abstract

According to Anderson, Rausser and Swinnen (2013) the agricultural and food sector is an ideal vehicle for investigating the political economy of public policies. The paper therefore synthesizes the views of the said authors and attempts to explain the trends and fluctuations in market distortions and the political economy, and in addition explores the hypotheses that have been explored in the literature. In so doing the principal authors of this paper fully acknowledge the works of Anderson, Rausser and Swinnen. Often these papers are not read by individuals involved in public sector reform and it is therefore hoped that this attempt will heighten the interest necessary to set Africa into a trajectory of coordinated and professional public services and sustained development. The paper is not all encompassing but adds to the dialogue that encompasses public sector reform in Africa.