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Governance for Development

Liberal constitutions and elections won't do the job

Submitted by Sina Odugbemi on Thu, 2011-01-20 10:31

The entity often known as ‘the international community’ has a touching faith in standard liberal constitutions and one-person-one-vote elections. Now, while those are outstanding human inventions, it is becoming clearer every day that in plural, deeply divided societies these inventions alone will not lead to settled systems of governance. 

Moving forward: A road to accountability?

Submitted by Onno Ruhl on Mon, 2011-01-10 17:14

In my previous blog post, I examined how the system of oil revenue distribution in Nigeria is likely to weaken accountability and the results focus at all levels of government. Some of my colleagues actually wanted me to be more forceful than I was and close the door on the argument. However, I did not want to do so, for having lived in Nigeria for almost three years now, I have observed signs of change.  

 

 

Revisiting the "country-specific solution"

Submitted by Ishac Diwan on Wed, 2010-12-15 10:32

The mantra of the “country-specific solution” has become fashionable post-Washington Consensus. The consensus has shifted massively against simplistic economic theory that ignores country specificities. In fact, the rebellion has gone way further, encouraging theorists to abandon the search for big solutions, and practitioners to become advocates of ownership and participation -- thus enabling the new experimentalists to feel even more righteous about their focus on the small.

Feasible policy: Beginning with things as they actually are

Submitted by Brian Levy on Wed, 2010-12-15 10:03

Taking governance seriously is profoundly discomfiting for development work. It forces each of us to examine critically and with humility what we bring to the development endeavor. The more we know about a country’s governance and political realities, the more we are confronted with the limitations – as well as continuing relevance – of our hard-won technical knowledge.

Korea looks to impact evaluations to improve aid effectiveness

Submitted by Ariel Fiszbein on Wed, 2010-12-01 15:21

I am writing from Seoul, where I participated in the Economic Development and Impact Evaluation conference organized by the Korea Development Institute. Korean officials at the conference had a consistent and forceful message: aid works.