Policy and Institutional Reforms in the Context of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas: A Review of Experience in the Context ofICIMOD

摘要

In the past, there has been considerable focus on economic policy and related institutional reforms. The conventional model of economic, policy, and institutional reforms has a standard set of prescriptions: establish property rights, enforce contracts, remove price distortions, maintain macroeconomic stability, remove restrictions on trade and industry and, with a little bit of good luck, account for uncertainty. The economy should move ahead predictably and vigorously. Policy and institutional reforms face a number of significant difficulties. While it is a favourite topic for multilateral and bilateral agencies including academics, most governments see this as an intervention into their territory (Blaikie 2006). Many of the recent policy and institutional reforms also focus on removal of government control to promote liberalisation and privatisation of the economy. The government is not about to fade away completely, however, and as a matter of fact, given the marginal impact on poverty of liberalisation policies, there is already some softening for the state through advocating engaged governance (Khan 2003). This paper reviews policy and institutional reforms in the context of policy and institutional reforms in mountain areas.