Why is Colombia Reforming Fast

I am just back from a trip to Bogota. One always learns a lot from meeting with reformist governments. This time around one finding struck me the most: President Alvaro Uribe spends every Saturday traveling to towns and cities around the country, and listening to people's comments on what needs to be improved. These townhalls last from 9am to late evenings. Every Saturday.

At first, I was incredulous. Really? Every Saturday? Yes. Most ministers go with him as well and on the spot commit to the needed work.

No wonder then that a lot of improvements are seen in the ease of doing business. Colombia was a top-10 reformer in Doing Business 2008. Colombians call these trips participatory democracy. They also sound like just-in time reform solutions.