CIVIL-SERVICE REFORMS - LEARNING FROM COMMONWEALTH EXPERIENCES

This article illustrates the degree to which new areas of consensus ar e emerging in the implementation of civil service reforms. A crucial d evelopment in Commonwealth countries has been the change in the strate gies being pursued by most governments in achieving economic growth an d developmental objectives. The need to change the role of the State f or improved economic efficiency is finding greater acceptance in most countries. The article highlights several common themes emerging in th e introduction of civil service reform programmes with remarkable simi larity about the concerns and changes taking place in very different s ettings. The article also identifies a set of key strategies that have emerged as major instruments for the implementation of the reform pro cess, such as securing leadership for change, enhancing policy develop ment capacity, improved human resource and financial management system s, establishing efficiency and quality management programmes, harnessi ng information technology and mobilizing external and internal advice. The article concludes that there is no unique solution and each count ry would need to identify key strategies drawing on experiences of oth er countries and keeping in view national priorities. The article henc e provides a useful framework for sharing of experiences and cooperati on among Commonwealth countries.