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ABSTRACT
This essay reflects on a personal participation in policy-making in relation to Kenya, almost 50 years ago. The policies that the British colonial authorities pursued in respect of the transfer of land to black Kenyans were crucial in the design of the decolonisation framework which managed the transition from colonial to self-rule. The outcome of the land policy was the creation of a black middle class of prosperous farmers, the preservation of the position of white farming, a transition to capitalism and the creation of a black capitalist class eagerly embraced by Kenyatta and his successors, but not solving the problems of land hunger and accompanying rural poverty which continue today.

AbstractThis article reviews the management of Vietnam's renewal process from the viewpoint of understanding the structure of the economy. It argues that, in terms of population, income and welfare, Vietnam has been relatively more successful than other less‐developed Asian countries. At the same time, historically, its economy was only to a minor degree under central government management—in contrast to the ex‐USSR and Eastern Europe—and hence it has been capable of a more flexible response. Its human capital stock is strong but performance has been constrained by war, embargo and mistakes of strategy. Against this background, the article traces the reform process, from the brief interlude with central planning through the inauguration of 'doi moi' after cessation of western and Chinese aid. The initial stress has been on macroeconomic stabilization. The problems of achieving this and the reasons for success are advanced. The next stage of the reform encompasses additional areas where international assistance may be relevant: the legal and institutional framework for the market economy, reform of government administration and improving enterprise management. Following the new constitution of 1992, public administration reform has come to the fore—both structural as well as in relation to central‐local government relations. This article describes the machinery for reform implementation as well as its scope, which encompasses the size and staffing of the civil service, salaries, human resource management, systems and procedures, turn‐round of state enterprises and management skills development. The article continues with a review of two key multilateral assistance projects. The path‐breaking UNDP Management Development Programme has conducted training in economic management and supported the development of the legal system. The project has had an important impact on policy‐makers and on policy discussion. A successor project will provide support to public administration reform in Vietnam. In the light of the current dramatic expansion in aid to Vietnam from DAR sources, the article concludes that control and coordination of overseas assistance by the government will be vital if aid is to be fully utilized and work in total support of Vietnam's existing development effort.

Article reviews management of Vietnam's renewal process from viewpoint of understanding structure of the economy. Argues that, in terms of population, income and welfare, Vietnam has been relatively more successful than other less-developed Asian countries. Looks at government, administration, civil service, human resources, and at some UNDP programmes. (ODA)

The author finds it surprising that free market thinking should have gained ascendancy as a response to the world's economic crisis in the 1970s, and he devotes a substantial part of the article to elucidating the aspects which could explain the unexpected ease with which it was possible to condemn the Keynesian approach as a failure and open the way to the full sway of monetarism. He also relates the development of political doctrine in the centres with the recent course of events in Latin America and the Caribbean

What dilemmas arise in managing aid programmes in poor countries with weak administrative structures and great dependence on external finance? This article considers Bangladesh (1984) and Tansania (1981-84). It treats for Bangladesh the case against aid sceptically. It then argues that weaknesses are as much administrative practice as policy and doctrine, in part resulting from the proliferation of funding agencies, and requiring improved coordination and standardization of donor procedures. (DSE)

Economic conditions; Economic policy; Vietnam