Dictatorship, bad governance and their impact on public need and social development: A comparative public administration (CPA) study on the evidence of Togo

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the major challenges facing Togolese State government in public administration, and to provide some policy recommendation that can be applied to overcome these threats. In order to look into Togolese government managerial capacity in the implementation of national development initiatives and deliver the necessary public services efficiently and effectively, comparative public administration studies was applied. Togolese administrative management framework was designed following the French system, its ancient master of colonization. The temporal dimension of the Togolese administrative management is often decisive, not only with respect to inherited constructions and other "sunk costs", but also in the form of laws, inherited political relations, legacy management systems and inherited cultural attitudes and other norms. (Pollitt, 2008: xiii). In addition, the "equilibrium thesis" is not relevant because bureaucracy in the urban and rural institution is weak, lacks resources, technical expertise and professional development. The autocratic rule in Togo State has led to "boss-dominated" bureaucracies, where senior bureaucratic positions are occupied by supporters and friends of autocratic political leaders; thus limiting competition for power. At the lower level of professional development, the bureaucracy is gradually transformed into a collaborator, who shares the largesse of power and wealth, even if it is relegated to the status of appendage of political authority. Togo State public administration needs to be transformed and revitalized in order to improve the administrative capacity to implement the policy and to deliver public services; conditions that are essential for good governance.