http://www.gsdrc.org Academic and policy-relevant publications on governance and international development. en-uk Copyright © 2012 Governance and Social Development Resource Centre Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:00:09 GMT Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:00:09 GMT http://www.gsdrc.org/rss/open george@gsdrc.org george@gsdrc.org http://www.gsdrc.org/images/logos/logo_gsdrc.gif http://www.gsdrc.org 205 90 GSDRC logo Richard Batley Do NGOs that collaborate with government in service delivery lose their autonomy and capacity for policy influence? Does the formalisation of relationships imply that NGOs are subordinated to government agendas? This study analyses NGO-government collaboration in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan in three services: basic education, healthcare and sanitation. It finds that, even where NGOs operate in constraining institutional environments and enter agreements with government, they are able to exercise strategic choices. They balance the need for financial survival, independence and commitment to their goals – including that of influencing government. At least for these NGOs, there is no contradiction between advocacy and service delivery. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4231&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4231&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Joy Moncrieffe This study examines the concept of accountability from technical and relational perspectives. It argues that the principles of justice and equality are key for cultivating more equitable relations of accountability, which are critical for human development and necessary for the stability of democracies. Accountability will remain abstract and non-transformative until the implications of its relational dimension are understood. It is important to recognise the ingrained perceptions that skew accountability in unproductive ways. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4230&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4230&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Zoë Scott Why has Public Sector Governance Reform (PSGR) carried out in developing countries over the past decade not been effective? How can such interventions be improved? This literature review shows how much of the existing research emphasises underlying political economy and incentive problems, and the need for reforms to be demand-led rather than externally-driven. A fundamental rethink is needed on the way PSGRs are carried out: more attention needs to be paid to politics in both the design and the implementation of reforms. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4229&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4229&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT David Stephens and Mia Urbano How can legal empowerment advance the human rights of people living with and vulnerable to HIV? This study explores how HIV legal empowerment strategies are evolving. It shows that the law has been the axis around which debates have revolved on the restriction or promotion of rights. For a person experiencing HIV-related stigma, a legal empowerment approach affirms and restores his or her humanity and citizenship and supports psychological wellbeing. These are essential dimensions of overall welfare and health. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4228&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4228&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Mariz Tadros How has the new approach to religion since 9/11 impacted on efforts to address women’s rights? How has it affected women’s day to day realities? This study examines various forms of instrumentalisation of religion, gender and human rights, against the backdrop of today’s volatile political context, the rise of identity politics and increased economic inequality and deprivation. It argues that the binaries of religious versus secular, moderate Islamist versus radical Islamist, feminist versus Muslim activist, conceal the ambiguities and fluidity of identities, strategies of engagement and framing of ideas. They are undermining efforts to improve the lives of women. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4227&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4227&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT James Harrison This study examines the practice of Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA). It argues that, while a uniform HRIA process in all fields will not be appropriate, eight core elements represent the 'minimum core' of a valid process: screening, scoping, evidence gathering, consultation, analysis, producing policy-oriented recommendations, publication, and monitoring and review. Overall, better performance monitoring is crucial, and the people undertaking HRIAs need a deep understanding of human rights. More reflection is also required on the connection between HRIAs and the people affected by the policies and practices that HRIAs seek to influence. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4226&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4226&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ruth Stewart et al. This study finds that, while both micro-credit and micro-savings have the potential to improve the lives of poor people, micro-credit also has potential for harm. A growing micro-credit industry could therefore be a cause for concern and, if driven by people’s need to take out further loans after a default, it might in fact be a symptom of the failure of micro-credit. Micro-savings could be a safer investment for development agencies. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4225&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4225&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT OECD DAC Network on Gender Equality This paper highlights the need for innovative approaches and partnerships to scale up women's economic empowerment. Achieving women's economic empowerment will take sound public policies, a holistic approach and long-term commitment from all development actors. It is important to 'start with women' by integrating gender-specific perspectives into policy and programme design. More equitable access to assets and services – land, water, infrastructure, technology, innovation and credit – will strengthen women's rights, increase agricultural productivity and promote economic growth. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4224&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4224&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT DFID This preliminary literature review finds that, so far, evidence on what works in interventions relating to accountability and empowerment is fragmentary. Studies using the same method (such as RCTs) often yield different outcomes in different contexts, suggesting that success or failure is very dependent on context. Indeed, a number of cases across a range of sectors suggest the key influence of political dynamics on the success or failure of interventions. While there is some evidence of what works in specific areas, impact on long-term political dynamics is difficult to determine. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4223&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4223&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Philip N. Howard and Muzammil M. Hussain What has the 'Arab Spring' taught us about the role of digital media in political uprisings and democratisation? What are the implications of these events for our understanding of how democratisation works today? This study argues that social media have become a significant tool for civil society. New information technologies give activists information networks not easily controlled by the state and coordination tools that are already embedded in trusted networks of family and friends. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4222&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4222&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Jonathan Friedman What can be learned from the South African government's introduction of a service delivery monitoring system? This study examines the efforts of the Ministry of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation established by Jacob Zuma in 2009. The study shows that the chief ministers succeeded in encouraging departments to set measurable performance targets, but as political support waned, the sustainability of the system was put in doubt. Nevertheless, some officials believe that the system has changed the culture of planning, monitoring and evaluation of policies in South Africa to embrace data-based processes. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4221&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4221&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Asian Development Bank How can impact be credibly attributed to a particular intervention? This report discusses the merits and limitations of various methods and offers practical guidance on impact evaluation. A rigorously conducted impact evaluation produces reliable impact estimates of an intervention through careful construction of the counterfactual using experimental or non-experimental approaches. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4220&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4220&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Lisa Horner and Andrew Puddephatt What is democratic space and why is it important for democratic governance? Why is it fragile in the Asia-Pacific region? This paper examines the factors that affect the capacity of democratic space to give poor and marginalised groups meaningful opportunities to exercise their human rights. It shows that democracy in many Asia-Pacific countries consists mainly of formal democratic institutions rather than substantive democratic processes, values and relationships. This leaves democratic space prone both to manipulation and to closure by powerful individuals and groups. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4219&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4219&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Lauren M. MacLean What has been the impact for sub-Saharan Africans of declining state involvement in public service provision? This paper examines public service experiences in Africa following neoliberal economic reform. It argues that the erosion of the quality of state services has led to a two-tiered system. The rural poor are forced to rely on public schools and clinics, while better-off urban citizens use private services providers. This has important implications for the sustainability of publicly provided social services in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4218&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4218&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Curtis Bell This study uses quantitative testing to assess temporal variation in the provision of 15 public goods. It finds that regime consolidation changes leaders' incentives for public goods provision. New political leaders face not only institutional but initial extra-institutional challenges – such as coups and revolutions – that affect spending priorities. Thus, states with inclusive institutions spend more on public goods as they consolidate and become less vulnerable to elite demands.  Exclusive regimes spend more on public goods early on when they are vulnerable to the excluded majority, but become increasingly repressive as they become insulated from popular demands. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4217&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4217&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Patricia Weiss Fagen National and international programmes to return refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes after conflict frequently leave far too many without viable futures. Using Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Burundi as case studies, this paper argues that the effects of protracted conflict and displacement means that, for many, returning home is not a viable solution. Greater flexibility in determining the best solutions and more investment in alternative and longer-term forms of reintegration are needed. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4216&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4216&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT OECD What works and what does not in armed violence reduction and prevention? To begin to address this question, this report draws on a large-scale mapping of AVRP activities around the world, focusing on programming trends in the varied contexts of Brazil, Burundi, Colombia, Liberia, South Africa and Timor-Leste. The most promising AVRP activities are based on inter-sectoral partnerships and operate simultaneously at local and national levels. Development agencies need to adopt integrated approaches to AVRP, and link the AVRP agenda to the promotion of peacebuilding and statebuilding. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4215&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4215&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Nauja Kleist There is a growing trend in Ghana of appointing traditional authorities with an international migrant background. This study shows that Ghanaian chiefs who have lived abroad are expected to draw on transnational networks and experiences to bring development and innovation to their areas. Some collaborate with international development agencies, NGOs, and migrants, and tour European and North American countries. 'Return chiefs' must balance 'the modern' and 'the traditional', and their practices in negotiating this tension are both local and global. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4214&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4214&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ank Michels This study examines citizen participation in various Western countries. It shows that citizen involvement produces a number of benefits, which vary according to the type of democratic innovation. However, since these positive effects are perceptible only to those taking part, and the number of participants is often small, the benefits to individual democratic citizenship are far more conclusive than the benefits to democracy as a whole. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4213&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4213&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Joseph Siegle et al. This paper suggests that the Arab Spring is a trigger for further democratic reforms in Africa, rather than a driver. There are few linear relationships linking events in North Africa to specific shifts in democratisation on the continent. However, the frustration propelling the protests in North Africa resonates with many Africans. The Arab Spring is instigating changes in the expectations that African citizens have of their governments. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4212&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4212&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed All themes Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT