How can corruption and lack of transparency and accountability be addressed in reconstruction projects? These problems have severely constrained the rebuilding of Sierra Leone’s infrastructure, but neither the channels nor the incentives exist for community members to challenge such practices. This report reviews a Community Oversight Monitoring project (2008-2009), which ...» more
Library
This e-library contains more than 4500 external publications on governance, social development, conflict and humanitarian issues. It includes academic and grey literature selected for its basis in good quality research and coverage of a range of perspectives. Policy-oriented summaries of each document are provided, plus links to the full text.
Game-theoretical Models, Social Mechanisms and Public Goods: A Methodological Discussion
How can empirical research be used to build policy-relevant theory about governance and development? This paper reflects on the Africa Power and Politics Research Programme (APPP), arguing that contextually modified concepts from game theory can help explain development outcomes. There is little in the literature or initial fieldwork results to suggest that mix of governance ...» more
The Political Economy of Development: An Assessment
How do political choices, institutional structures and forms of governance influence the economic choices made by governments and citizens? How are the methods of modern economics being used to deepen understanding of the ways in which political constraints shape economic development? This article summarises recent developments in the study of the political economy of ...» more
Measuring Change and Results in Voice and Accountability Work
How can the often intangible results of Voice and Accountability (V&A) interventions be measured? This paper adapts DFID’s 'Capability, Accountability and Responsiveness' (CAR) governance framework for use with V&A work. It maps existing indicators onto this adapted framework, developing a menu of V&A indicators and data collection instruments. Measures need to take account of ...» more
New Media and Democracy in Africa – A Critical Interjection
Has the use of new media improved African political structures, systems and processes? This book chapter introduces studies examining the impact of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) on the societies and politics of African countries. It argues that, a decade after the introduction of ICTs, questions about access, inequality, power and the quality of ...» more
Political Economy Analysis of Kenya
How can donors contribute to governance reform in Kenya? What role can they play in strengthening state-society relations in particular? This report, published by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), makes recommendations for Norway’s strategic approach to governance in Kenya based on a political economy analysis of the country. More focus on state-society ...» more
Political Economy Analysis to Action: Political Communication Approaches and Techniques
Why are political communication approaches pivotal to efforts to reform governance systems? This study from the World Bank suggests that reform managers must be able to persuade society. Furthermore, although reform includes technical challenges, the challenges of adaptation require political communication. Political communication approaches are essential to governance ...» more
Can Informed Public Deliberation Overcome Clientelism?
How can new democracies restrain electoral clientelism? This study from New York University draws on evidence from the 2006 presidential elections in Benin. It shows that if a campaign strategy is based on town hall meetings and policy proposals informed by empirical research, the electorate feels they have greater understanding of policies and candidates. It also suggests that ...» more
Participatory Communication: A Practical Guide
How can participatory communication be applied in development projects? This World Bank publication outlines the four key phases of the participatory communication programme cycle. Genuine participatory communication is rare, but it can facilitate the empowerment of marginalised groups and have wider social and political effects. It requires continual dialogue with ...» more
Enforcement Models: Content and Context
Access to information (ATI) rights are only meaningful if they are both enforceable and enforced. What are the different enforcement models for ATI laws, and what determines success? This World Bank paper draws on case studies to consider the three main ATI enforcement models: (1) judicial proceedings; (2) an information commission(er) or appeals tribunal with the power to ...» more
Building Political Will for Enhanced Access to Information: Lessons from Latin America
How can citizens’ groups and other stakeholders build political will for the approval and enactment of right to information laws? By analysing experience in Honduras, Nicaragua, Chile and Uruguay, this book chapter from Civicus explores how political will was built to pass access to information laws. It also looks at the challenges of implementation, arguing that the adoption ...» more
Community Participation in Public Schools: Impact of Information Campaigns in three Indian states
What impact can community-based information campaigns have on school performance? This article from Education Economics finds that providing information through a structured campaign has a positive impact on school outcomes. A cluster randomised control trial of 610 villages across three Indian states provided public meetings about community roles and responsibilities in school ...» more
The Role of Media Literacy in the Governance Reform Agenda
How does media literacy contribute to governance reform? This discussion paper from the World Bank's Communication for Governance and Accountability Program argues that media literacy helps citizens to become informed, to engage in the public sphere to effect change, and to demand good governance and accountability. In an increasingly complex media landscape, citizens need to ...» more
ICTs for Democracy: Information and Communication Technologies for the Enhancement of Democracy – with a Focus on Empowerment
What is the potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to support processes of democratisation and empowerment in developing countries? This report, prepared for the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, outlines the theoretical background to discussions on ICTs and democracy, and presents case studies from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. It argues ...» more
Investigative Journalism and Scandal Reporting in the Nigerian Press
To what extent is investigative journalism used to uncover allegations of corruption in Nigeria? What are its key challenges? This article from Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies uses interviews with journalists to explore the use of investigative journalism in Nigeria. While the press can help to strengthen government institutions, especially through its watchdog role, ...» more
Literature Review on the Impact of Public Access to Information and Communication Technologies
What evidence exists on the impacts of shared public access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)? Governments, NGOs and entrepreneurs in developing countries have invested significantly in shared modes of access to ICTs (such as public libraries, telecentres and internet cafés), but to what effect? This review from the Center for Information and Society ...» more
Good, But How Good? Monitoring and Evaluation of Media Assistance Projects
How are media assistance programmes being monitored and evaluated? How can such M&E be improved? This report from the Center for International Media Assistance finds that useful tools include: gathering baseline data; content analysis; balancing quantitative and qualitative data; and employing outside evaluators to conduct impact assessments. Donors should increase funding for ...» more
The Contribution of Government Communication Capacity to Achieving Good Governance Outcomes
How does government communications capacity contribute to good governance? What are the communications functions of government, and how can they be developed? This report from a one-day roundtable held at George Washington University summarises discussions about the role of communications in government, cases of success and failure in government communication from around the ...» more
A New Approach to Post Conflict Reconstruction
How can post-war reconstruction support democratisation and prevent the early entrenchment of corruption? This study published in the Journal of Democracy examines democracy assistance in eight countries recovering from war: Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mozambique, the Palestinian Authority, Sierra Leone and Timor-Leste. It argues that citizens need to ...» more
Media Literacy: Understanding the News
What is the relevance of media literacy for the development sector? This study from the Center for International Media Assistance examines efforts to promote understanding of media’s role in a democracy and to equip citizens to analyse and participate in the news process. Without independent media, citizens lack accurate information and so are less able to foster democracy and ...» more
