In the past, public administrators have used Western models in the development of emerging countries. Umeh (public affairs and administration, California State U., East Bay) and Andranovich (political science, California State U., Los Angeles) suggest that these models are inadequate and local cultures must become the basis for administration. They consider prior models and present an "interpretive approach" to understanding development in South African Development Community (SADC) nations of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. They describe characteristics of administration, the influence of culture, economic development, democratization, decentralization, and post- apartheid South Africa. The book is intended for college students, policymakers, managers, and administrators. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR