Comments on: The size of government fallacy http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/ asking questions that lead to more questions Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:21:22 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: A Second Hand Conjecture » Minister for Kleptocracy http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-81 A Second Hand Conjecture » Minister for Kleptocracy Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:30:09 +0000 http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-81 [...] examines the question and argues the need for the dramatic downsizing of African governments. Shakara then offers an interesting counterpoint. Sphere: Related [...] [...] examines the question and argues the need for the dramatic downsizing of African governments. Shakara then offers an interesting counterpoint. Sphere: Related [...]

]]> By: aflakete http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-80 aflakete Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:19:40 +0000 http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-80 I don't think Japan can afford 100 ministers either. My thing is Ofosu-Appiah sort of makes the wrong diagnosis. Yes, the size of the cabinet is an issue, Yes it's bad. Yes, to quote you: confusion, coordination, innefficiency, rivalry, waste, patronage etc.. But my point was that it's not a general cost issue, it's not a size of government issue. It's how that government allocates those ressources within itself. I don’t think Japan can afford 100 ministers either.

My thing is Ofosu-Appiah sort of makes the wrong diagnosis. Yes, the size of the cabinet is an issue, Yes it’s bad. Yes, to quote you: confusion, coordination, innefficiency, rivalry, waste, patronage etc..
But my point was that it’s not a general cost issue, it’s not a size of government issue. It’s how that government allocates those ressources within itself.

]]> By: Ben Smith http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-79 Ben Smith Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:50:59 +0000 http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-79 Shakara: I read my Ofosu-Appiah's article on ghanaweb and by no means was it a comparison between Japan and Ghana. There's no basis of comparison between the two countries....What Mr. Ofosu-Appia did in his article was to draw on a simple fact in Japan and apply it in the Ghanaian situation. Japan can afford to have 100 ministers with its economy but it has just 17. Does it make sense to you that Ghana has a Ministry of And Minister of Roads & Highways, a Minister of Ports, Harbors, & Railways, a Minister of Transportation, a Minister of Aviation instead of just a Minister of Works & Transportion like in Botswana ? This is purely a waste of scarce national resources and job for the boys policy.Everyone eating big from the state coffers because they wield power....that is patronage at its worst and such duplication of functions create confusion, coordinating problems, inefficiency, and unhealthy rivalry. Kenyan assistant ministers complained they had no jobs to do and they were forced to read Newspapers but it took them 4 years to realize this simple fact. Now wonder we are where we are in our development efforts in Africa. Shakara:

I read my Ofosu-Appiah’s article on ghanaweb and by no means was it a comparison between Japan and Ghana. There’s no basis of comparison between the two countries….What Mr. Ofosu-Appia did in his article was to draw on a simple fact in Japan and apply it in the Ghanaian situation. Japan can afford to have 100 ministers with its economy but it has just 17. Does it make sense to you that Ghana has a Ministry of And Minister of Roads & Highways, a Minister of Ports, Harbors, & Railways, a Minister of Transportation, a Minister of Aviation instead of just a Minister of Works & Transportion like in Botswana ? This is purely a waste of scarce national resources and job for the boys policy.Everyone eating big from the state coffers because they wield power….that is patronage at its worst and such duplication of functions create confusion, coordinating problems, inefficiency, and unhealthy rivalry. Kenyan assistant ministers complained they had no jobs to do and they were forced to read Newspapers but it took them 4 years to realize this simple fact. Now wonder we are where we are in our development efforts in Africa.

]]> By: AltNigeria Bookmarks » Blog Archive » The size of government fallacity http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-76 AltNigeria Bookmarks » Blog Archive » The size of government fallacity Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:48:30 +0000 http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-76 [...] Shakara: Not that I agree with the methods, but it is definitely worth reading. [...] [...] Shakara: Not that I agree with the methods, but it is definitely worth reading. [...]

]]> By: aflakete http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-75 aflakete Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:45:25 +0000 http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-75 How so ? How so ?

]]> By: omodudu http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-74 omodudu Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:41:07 +0000 http://shakara.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/the-size-of-government-fallacity/#comment-74 You are doing the same as they are. Misuse of statistical arguments. Huh. Cross country comparisons are misleading, in my opinion never ever use them. Nice attempt however. You are doing the same as they are. Misuse of statistical arguments. Huh. Cross country comparisons are misleading, in my opinion never ever use them. Nice attempt however.

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