Book Review

Book Review

Satu Kahkonen and Mancur Olson (Eds.), A New Institutional Approach to Economic Development; Vistaar Publications, New Delhi, 2000. pps 354. Price Rs. (Indian) 595/-.

Recent successes attributed to the field of economics have been outside the theoretical conservative boundaries of the subject. Modern economic thought is expanding rapidly in all directions: in the study of politics, law, and sociology, economists and other specialists using theories of economic thought and models have had significant influence. The book focuses on ideas that have driven the expansion of economics, namely collective choice, new institutionalist and neo classical political economy. The book has been divided into two main parts. The first deals with “the broadening of economics and emergence of an integral approach to social science” that are fundamental to any economy. The second part includes “some applications of the integrated approach” to India.

There are four basic concepts that are the building blocks for economic thought. The first of these basic principles is that individuals in a given society have preferences, purposes and utility functions. Secondly, they have various resources that help them produce goods and services that satisfy these preferences. Thirdly, incomes of households are constrained by resources available to them and the level of technology which is subject to change through resource development and innovation. The last idea is that markets are natural entities that emerge spontaneously and not planned entities of the government. Given these four premises, how has the field of economics broadened its horizon? The writers have tried to cross the theoretical boundaries of the subject by reconciling two main points. One was that some goods and services namely public goods and expenditures are not sold in the market and once they are made available to an individual they will be consumed by the entire society. The second point that had to be crossed is where income of individuals and groups depend on the availability of production resources and their productivity but also on the use of power. So if economists today want to explain what effects house hold income has on the rate of growth of income and its distribution, they have no choice but to take government, law and politics into account. Mancur Olson’s article “Dictatorship, democracy and development” deals with different political systems and how their magnitude of power tends to hinder or facilitate economic gains. The fact that economic independence is determined by political and social independence is highlighted throughout the book.

All the authors who have contributed to this volume have conducted original research. They have discussed and explained a wide range of subjects that includes both economics and social science aspects.

One of the positive points about this book is the fact that though the writers are of diversified backgrounds all the contributions made focus on the same approach that is Satu Kahkonen and Mancur Olson’s view, which cannot disengage social science from economics. The second part of the book is more interesting for students of the developing world for it talks about topics that are relevant and more appropriate for the local market. The problems that a developing economy faces and why it faces these problems are explained quite eloquently. The absence of collective choice and new institutionalism in the Indian economy is being blamed for the economic disparity in India. All six articles focus on the new institutionalism that is absent in the Indian economy. From their evidence provided in the first part of the book about the absence of collective choice, new institutionalism and neo classical political economies’ economists have tried to connect these variables collectively or in exclusion to the lack of economic development in specific country experiences.

It is a very readable book with a new, innovative approach to economics.

Lahore School of Economics Shamyla Chaudry

Lahore

Book Review

S. Akbar Zaidi, Transforming Urban Settlements, The Orangi Pilot Project’s Low-Cost Sanitation Model, City Press, Karachi, 2000, Price: Pak Rs. 225/-.

This book is the story of the formulation and implementation of the Orangi Pilot Project’s Sanitation Model, and it is told with clarity and intelligence. Indeed, in this age of self-seeking and egoism, indifference and callousness, it is heartening to note that at least some amongst us somewhere still show a modicum of concern for the marginalised and less privileged in our societies. It is ample indication of the author’s empathy and identification with the human condition in its entirety.

The book in fact is a reduced version of a study by the author submitted to Water Aid, UK, one of the United Kingdom’s leading charities. Orangi is a success story essentially, building its low cost sanitation programme in one of the biggest informal settlements in Karachi. An in depth study of the project, its nature, philosophy and methodology is provided by the author followed by a critical appraisal of the NGO sector in Pakistan and why this sector has not been able to replicate the model. The book also dispels certain myths and false conceptions about the Project, propagated in the main by the NGOs and donors. The brunt of the author’s criticism of the NGO sector is, to put it succinctly, that NGOs could only play an effective role if they were to ‘overcome some of their main weaknesses arising out of their dependence on donors and their organisational culture.’

Ch 2 is based on field visits made by the author to the area and discussions held with members of the community. There are revealing insights included here and the sensitivity of the author is evident. The observations are decidedly not that of a superficial observer, divorced from the reality on the ground, a drawback this methodology can often entail. Zaidi identifies strongly with the people and their problems. Initially, he looks at the impact of OPP at different levels, on health, income levels and social capital. What appears to be a foregone conclusion, the removal of waste water would generally have a positive impact on the health of the residents, but as the author points out owing to other unhealthy practices of the inhabitants it was not possible to quantify this improvement. Improvements in, income were more or less evident, however.

The writer next expostulates on the nature, philosophy and methodology of the model, in essence these being the very reasons for its success. He emphasises the fact that OPP is by no means a traditional NGO. It is distinct from other mainstream NGOs in that it is not particularly 'concerned with achieving specific targets set by donors or by itself. It believes in dealing first with what the community perceives to be a priority problem before tackling other matters. It is in no way a construction agency, physically undertaking projects itself It is for the residents themselves to take up the task of laying sewer lines, with OPP offering social and technical guidance. The OPP also sees itself as a motivator and believes in mobilising the community. For that matter, the OPP no longer needs to playa motivating role as it did previously, since owing to the demonstration effect, people come forth and seek advice from the OPP.

The author talks about the individual without whom OPP may not ever have been possible at all - Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan. The organisational culture of the project is in close harmony with the personality of this exceptional individual, states the writer. Dr. Khan's lifestyle was frugal and austere and likewise the very principles according to which the organisation is run. And this despite the fact that Dr. Khan was a much misunderstood personality, according to the author.

Having eulogised the extraordinary success of the OPP model, Zaidi explains at length why it has been problematic to replicate the model elsewhere and cites examples of other instances to do so. The model is difficult to replicate, as the author categorically states at the outset. The terrain, for one needs to have a gradient as in Orangi for in a place with a flatter terrain, pumping of sewage would be required as well. Also, OPP only enters a community which seeks its help and for this conditions are placed, the most stringent of which is that of self reliance and freedom from dependence on donors. This is something the NGO community is far removed from for one.

Zaidi then cites other set ups which have for better or for worse attempted to replicate the model, and he writes at length about the fate of such instances. He concludes that in order to ‘replicate’ certain principles need to be followed rather than merely imposing the model on each and every setting, a rather simplistic and obvious conclusion to say the least.

The future directions of OPP are then discussed and then the wider impact of OPP in the country. An interesting chapter follows, whereby the author attempts to disclaim the host of criticisms which abound around the reputation of OPP. He talks about their key arguments and the validity of their claims, giving a fair appraisal in the process.

Zaidi concludes his book with what is in essence a repetition of that which has come earlier, and perhaps this is where one of the weaknesses of the book lies. His suggestions at the end in terms of remedial measures are also somewhat lacking. He could have elaborated on them, even though that is easier said than done.

All told, it is apparent that the author is a fairly seasoned writer, this being the fifth of his major works. The book is concise and although at times somewhat repetitive, nowhere does he belabour the point. Rather, the author goes for the jugular. Zaidi seems to be brimming with enthusiasm, something that wears off on the absorbed reader.

Inexpensive in cost and hence affordable by most, perhaps the book deserved better production. It is undoubtedly an eye opener and extremely readable despite what some would balk at as being a ‘mundane’ and ‘remote’ issue.