Richard Batley is Professor of Development Administration in the International Development Department of the School of Public Policy, The University of Birmingham. His research interests are in governance, service delivery and urban policy in India, Latin America and Africa. George Larbi is Senior Lecturer in Public Sector Management and Governance in the International Development Department at the University of Birmingham. He works on new approaches to public management, service delivery and governance. He has experience in Africa, the UK and Kazakhstan. He is Assistant Editor of the journal Public Administration and Development.