Includes bibliographical references (p. 221-236) and index.

The 1980s and 1990s posed great challenges to governments in Latin America and Africa deeply affected by economic and political crises that weakened their ability to encourage economic development and provide for effective governance. Using case studies of Mexico and Kenya this book shows how a decade of deep and sustained crisis also became a decade of innovations in ideas, policy directions, political coalitions, and government institutions. Merilee Grindle argues that political leadership and structures of political power, while frequently part of the problem of underdevelopment, are also part of the solution in building more efficient, effective and responsive governments.