Introduction

A new book by Mariana Matsakato, The Big Con, makes some pretty provocative statements. It says that actually consultants don't just undermine democracy, they lead to less effective government. I'm thrilled because this week I got to speak a lot with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Motley who I think is the hero of the 21st century. She was in dialogue with me about why we need not only financial space but also fiscal space and state capacity.