On the meaning(s) of "capacity" in the literature and practice of administrative reform in transitional countries: Searching for clarity (with an application to local government on Serbia)

Abstract

Advice-giving, at least in its recorded form, can be traced to Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince—and probably much earlier. A particular form of advice-giving, however, is of more recent vintage. Here, the author speaks about „capacity building” (hereafter referred to as CB) that involves the provision of technical assistance to organizational units, frequently governments, so that their performance can be improved. The assistance may come from a variety of sources; it may be aimed at different kinds of recipients such as the central government, local governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The assistance can take various forms and, the assistance may emphasize different knowledge and skills intended to enhance capacity. The breath of assistance and its intent to enhance CB is, paradoxically its strength and its weakness. This, in essence, is the argument of the paper.