Relative modernization and public resource at location in Kenya: a comparative analysis

Abstract

The major purpose of this inquiry is to relate the concept of relative modernization to public resource allocation. Four aspects of public resource allocation, namely those to agriculture~ commerce education and self-help projects in Kenya are used to demonstrate the explanatory potency of this concept (relative modernization). The analysis of the relationships is preceded by the introduction and discussion of the concept of modernizations Underlying the entire analysis is the contention that variation in levels of modernization determine levels of resources allocated to a given unit, e.g. region, district, 6r village. 'Iwo major statistical techniques a-re used in the analysis. First, factor analysis is performed in order to extract: (a) components of modernization, and (b) factor scores. The factor scores extracted constitute scales of modernization and are therefore treated as independent variables capable~ of accounting for variation in resource allocation. Second, we make use of both multiple and stepwise regression analyses in an effort to observe the relative strength of: (a) modernization variables, (b) intervening variables, and (c) modernization and intervening variables in explaining variation in the above public policy outcomes. Finally, we compare levels of modernization in villages and characteristics of administrators (Chiefs) in the same villages. Our analysis shows that on the who eg (a) modernization variables are the best predictors of variation in public policy outcomes in Kenya, and (b) Locations or villages with high levels of modernization have administrators (Chiefs) with modern characteristics.