Reform

Template:Short description Template:Other uses Reform refers to the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.<ref name="dictionary">Template:Cite web</ref> The modern usage of the word emerged in the late 18th century and is believed to have originated from Christopher Wyvill's Association movement, which identified "Parliamentary Reform" as its primary aim.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Reform is generally regarded as antithetical to revolution.

Developing countries may implement a range of reforms to improve living standards, often with support from international financial institutions and aid agencies. This can involve reforms to macroeconomic policy, the civil service, and public financial management.

In politics, there is debate over what constitutes reform vs. revolution, and whether all changes labeled "reform" actually represent progress.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> For example, in the United States, proponents of term limits or rotation in office consider it a revolutionary method (advocated as early as the Articles of Confederation) for rooting out government corruption<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> by altering basic political connections between incumbents and constituents.Template:Notetag Opponents say that congressional term limits can create perverse incentives, and hinder reform, by taking power away from voters and encouraging "revolving door" politics.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A government's ability to implement reforms, referred to as its state capacity, is constrained by the prevailing political system.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Re-form

When used to describe something which is physically formed again, such as re-casting (moulding) or a band that gets back together, the proper term is re-form (with a hyphen), not "reform".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• Catalytic reforming
• Education reform
• Electoral reform
• Land reform
• Microeconomic reform
• Monetary reform
• Progressivism
• Reform (Religion)
• Reform movement
• La Reforma
• Reformism
• Security sector governance and reform
• Tax reform
• University reform
• Wall Street reform

Further reading

• Template:Commonscatinline
• Harrington, Mona. The Dream of Deliverance in American Politics. New York: A.A. Knopf, 1986. x, 308 p. Template:ISBN