A well-functioning public sector that delivers quality public services consistent with citizen preferences and that fosters private market-led growth while managing fiscal resources prudently is considered critical for poverty alleviation. This important new series aims to advance those objectives by disseminating conceptual guidance and lessons from practices and by facilitating learning from each others' experiences on ideas and practices that promote responsive (by matching public services with citizens' preferences), responsible (through efficiency and equity in service provision without undue fiscal and social risk), and accountable (to citizens for all actions) public governance in developing countries. This series, edited by Anwar Shah, distills current wisdom and presents tools of analysis for improving the efficiency, equity, and efficacy of the public sector. Leading public policy experts and practitioners have contributed to the series. This title explores two themes: the orientation of government towards its more vulnerable groups and the extent to which government is responsive to its citizens. It provides tools, methodologies, and examples of how to examine the impact of government expenditures, taxes, pension systems, and other policies on women, the poor, and the elderly. The title also proposes a new institutional framework for governments that wish to implement reforms that increase responsiveness: citizen-centered government and citizen-centered budgeting.