Abstract
Globalization involves risks and opportunities for the Arab world. Realistic knowledge of these possibilities is essential for adaptation of governance and reform of public administration to deal more effectively with the unfolding processes of globalization. To be participants rather than mere subjects, the Arab states have to recognize opportunities and limit potential negative consequences. Success requires good governance and professional public management. Public administration in the Arab world has to transform traditional methods of command and control and nepotism into a more collaborative management that relies on institutional capabilities and practicing managerial values of accountability, performance evaluation, transparency, and ethics.
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Notes
World Economic Forum. 2008. The Global Information Technology Report 2007–2008
The estimate is based on actual numbers for 2000, quoted in a study on planning of human resources in Kuwait, by A. El-Enezi, in Arabic, published 2002, the Egyptian Journal for Commercial Studies. Vol. 26 (No. 1):369.
The author cites Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income Bulletin, spring 2003, Pub. 1136 (revised 6-03); UN Development Program, Human Development Report 2003 (pp. 250–253; 278–281).
The Program is “dedicated to the promotion and development of good governance practices and related reforms in the Arab states. It works in partnership with key governance institutions including legislatures, judiciaries, and civil society organizations.” Activities include rendering policy advice, engaging in institutional capacity building, and testing policy options through pilot projects.
In an interview on American Public Television (end of June 2007) a former prime minister of Tanzania reported that 80% of the people in his country have negative views of globalization. Similarly, a public official from Argentina reported that about 70% of the people have negative views.
It is illustrative how new global conditions created the need for new skills in the judicial branch of government in Jordan. On July 3rd, the chief of the judiciary council in Jordan met with the King to express the need of the judiciary to attract judges with international experience and knowledge of English because “Jordan is committed to agreements and conventions with many other nations in the world.” Alrai, June 4, 2007, p. 1.
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Jreisat, J.E. Administration, Globalization, and the Arab States. Public Organ Rev 9, 37–50 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-008-0068-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-008-0068-1