Political Responsiveness and Neutral Competence in the Developing Countries

This article examines the role of merit-based career systems in developing countries. Using the neutral competence/political responsiveness paradigm as a point of departure, the author analyzes the experiences of two countries, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. A predictable conclusion emerges, i.e., that a rational-legal bureaucratic model is preferable to any known alternative when efficient and effective development administration is the evaluative criterion.