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Monitoring the bureaucracy in Dubai
Sheikh Mohammed oversees a cadre of undercover mystery shoppers...They pose as prickly members of the public seeking the government's help. Their reports are instrumental in firings and promotions. No bureaucrat can be sure the demanding customer across the counter isn't secretly reporting to the boss. Once in a while, Sheikh Mohammed turns up at 7:30 on surprise inspections. He's been known to fire late-arriving managers on the spot.
That is from Jim Krane's fascinating City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism. This is pretty clearly the best book on Dubai. It has an insider's perspective but is also analytical. Recommended
Posted by Tyler Cowen on November 18, 2009 at 07:26 AM in Political Science | Permalink
Comments
Firing bureaucrats for any reason is barbaric and wrong.
Posted by: American Federation of Government Workers at Nov 18, 2009 9:56:02 AM
It took several confusing reads of the paragraph before I figured out that it wasn't talking about Khalid Sheikh Muhammad.
Posted by: Joel Grus at Nov 18, 2009 10:02:28 AM
Could they come to the USA and audit the Obama administration?
Posted by: Rich Berger at Nov 18, 2009 10:31:40 AM
But they don't know the blessings of Democracy! We must free these poor souls.
Posted by: josh at Nov 18, 2009 11:23:44 AM
Sheikh Mohammed oversees a cadre of undercover mystery shoppers...They pose as prickly members of the public seeking the government's help.
So, in Dubai, "members of the public seeking the government's help" are called "shoppers"?
Not rent seekers? Or "citizens"? Or "constituents"?
Posted by: anon at Nov 18, 2009 2:10:15 PM
Audit just the Obama administration?
Sometimes the partisan nature of comments on this blog depresses me.
Why not open up the idea and audit -any- administration?
Oh wait...that's OUR job. Our citizenry, our journalism, our education, our reasoning and our vigilance. For the partisan, I suggest start with a cold eye on one's own political darlings first.
Posted by: paul at Nov 19, 2009 12:16:42 PM
Aapartment for rent in Dubai for a short stay we would suggest that you look at places in and around the Dubai Marina, Emirates Hills, Jumeirah Beach, Ski Dubai area etc. Dubai apartment rent in these places will depend on the kind of accommodation that you are looking for.
Posted by: Dubai Apartment Rent at Nov 21, 2009 6:03:37 AM
