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Key Text Society in State-building: Lessons in Improving Democratic Governance - Synthesis Report

Author: Edward Bell
Date: 2008
Size: 24 pages (332 KB)

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Summary

What is the best way to promote democratic governance in fragile and conflict-affected countries? By directing attention to interactions between state and society, this Initiative for Peacebuilding report aims to help external agencies and conflict-affected societies generate a culture of democratic politics. Drawing on analyses of Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia and Pakistan, the paper recommends using the potential that is inherent in all development assistance to improve governance. This includes using the processes for defining development strategies to widen and deepen ownership by society as a whole.

Donor policy and country initiatives to promote democratic governance should focus on the interface between state and society. However, there are inherent tensions between theory and practice. While physical proximity and personal contact give local political leaders capacity and legitimacy, these local political ties may also be the main barrier to a more open and equitable socio-political order.

Elections on their own are not enough; the transformation of political cultures requires a long-term view.
Devolution of power to local areas has great potential to influence the dynamics of legitimacy. However, devolution may have adverse affects such as consolidating the control of the centre on local government.
In many fragile situations, expectations of the government system are very limited. The strength of the social contract in communities is therefore often determined by day-to-day interactions with local leaders.
There may be a gap between the official position of women in society and their actual position. The key is to disaggregate the issues.
Identifying avenues for improving democratic governance must build on analysis of underlying and historical factors, recent socio-political changes, the legacy of past atrocities, demographic shifts and external factors.

External actors should prioritise strategies and projects which widen a population’s sense of shared identity, interests and mutual obligations, as well as those which change how ordinary people understand their role in a political community. Strategies and projects should also deepen public involvement in influencing strategies, policies and institutional practices and strengthen efforts to make men and women more equal. Recommendations include:

Using the processes for defining development strategies (such as Poverty Reduction Strategies) to widen and deepen their ownership by society as a whole.
Integrating local initiatives that strengthen accountability between people and local officials into sectoral work such as education, health or infrastructure.
Making the necessary investments to design and deliver development programmes that have governance impacts locally. Regular staff engagement is needed at the local level.
Applying performance criteria for all projects that will incentivise efforts to institutionalise negotiation and consensus-building within communities and between public administration and citizens.

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Source: Bell, E., 2008, 'Society in State-building: Lessons in Improving Democratic Governance', Initiative for Peacebuilding
Organisation: Initiative for Peacebuilding, http://www.initiativeforpeacebuilding.eu/