Governmental constraints: A framework for analysis
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Date
2007
Authors
Wekesa M. J. Wesonga
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Thenotion that a national government could face constraints in its operations - apart from
resourcelimitations - has received littleformal theoretical treatment, especially in thefield of
public administration. And yet the government, like any other earthly agency,faces multiple
constraints in its operations. Constraints impact state performance and they should be
acknowledged in any meaningful evaluation of state actions. Some work on governmental
constraints has been done by scholarsfrom different disciplines (and sub-disciplines) , such
as comparative politics and international relations. These studies, however, do not embrace
the broad perspective we believe befits' the multifaceted nature of constraints on state
operations. This paper articulates an interdisciplinary conceptual framework within which
constraintson state operations can be characterized, categorized and analyzed. Wepresume
a democratic polity, and advance the basic idea that government, as a social organism,
can constrain as well as be constrained by others. Defining a governmental constraint as
anything that is prescriptive, proscriptive or physically restraining, on state operations, we
suggestthree criteria for categorizing such constraints. Such a constraint can beformal or
informal. It can be domestic or international, and finally it can be internal or external (to
the government). In a liberal democracy the national constitution restrains the state from
some actions (e.g. baseless detention of citizens), and also requires the state to carry out
other actions such as maintaining law and order. In such a polity public opinion usually
sways state actions. Moreover, with the rising international integration of markets, the
national government isfacing declining control over the national economy. Add on to these
the conditionalities that accompany bilateral and multilateral aid and the situation starts
toget crowded. All these are instances of the myriad constraints that the state faces in its
operations.
Description
Research Article
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Citation
Chemchemi Vol 4: No.2, 2007