how to account for context? using a causal chain approach in social accountability anuradha joshi
DESCRIPTION
How to Account for Context? Using a Causal Chain Approach in Social Accountability Anuradha Joshi Institute of Development Studies GPSA Webinar 18 June 2014. 1. Structure What is Social Accountability? Does it work? The Evidence Outcome Expectations The issue of Context - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
How to Account for Context?
Using a Causal Chain Approach in Social
Accountability
Anuradha JoshiInstitute of Development Studies
GPSA Webinar18 June 2014
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1. Structure
I. What is Social Accountability? II. Does it work? The EvidenceIII. Outcome ExpectationsIV. The issue of ContextV. Components of Social AccountabilityVI. Causal Chains
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2. What is the Issue? The Evidence
We have mixed and incomplete evidence of impact —incomparable interventions, different impacts measured, contradictory outcomes
Difficult to make generalizations Types of evidence vary—RCTs to qualitative studies Yet, assessments of existing evidence find common
themes
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3. What does the evidence seem to say?
Information alone is not enough Collective citizen action is essential Facilitated interaction is critical State capacity to respond matters Combination of carrots and sticks Multiple accountability pressures work Questions about time frames of outcomes Outcomes depend upon context
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Inst
itutio
nal
Inst
rum
enta
l
StateState-society relationships
Social actors
Responsive public officials
Reduced corruption Institutional channels for interaction
Improved provision of public goods
Better policy design
Good governance
State-building
Democratic Deepening
LegitimacyTrust Construction of
Citizenship
Empowered citizens
Inclusive Social Norms
4. Expanding the Range of Outcomes
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5. Assumed Links:Information, Citizen Action and State ResponsePoint: Knowledge gaps
State Response
OutcomesService DeliveryGovernanceEmpowerment
Information Citizen Action
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6. Dynamic Links :Information, Citizen Action, and State ResponsePoint: Knowledge gaps
• Information can lead directly to change
• State response can take the form of information disclosure
Citizen Action
Information
State Response
ACCOUNTABILITY
• Information catalyzes citizen action
• Citizen action to generate information
• Citizens action triggers state response
• State responses shape citizen action
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Our ApproachContent Process AssumptionsPerformanceCompared to standardsCompared to othersInspirational
TransparencyGenerating New Information(e.g. Perception data, monitoring data)Media campaigns
Literacy/AccessLegitimacy/ credibility of Information
Demand InformationGenerate InformationMonitor performanceSeek accountabilitySeek Grievance Redress
Formal bureaucracyProtestsPolitical articulationFormal complaint channelsLitigation
PrioritiesBelief in efficacy of channelSense of entitlements
Release InformationReform ProcessesIncrease ResourcesDemands at higher levelsInvestigation/sanctions
TransparencyReduced corruptionBehaviour changeFormal and informal channels of reform demandsFormal and informal channels of enquiry and punishment
Legitimacy of grievanceCapacityPublic service motivations Reputational concernsChannels of influencing higher levelsThreat of sanctions
Info
rmat
ion
Citi
zen
Act
ion
Sta
te R
espo
nse
7. Social Accountability Component Characteristics
Do I think citizens have legitimate grievances? Do I hold responsibility for the particular public good? Am I likely to be officially sanctioned due to citizen action? Do I care about my reputation? (If not, possibility of reprisal) Do I care about the service? Do I think I can do something about the situation?(if not, then could lead to helplessness) Do I have the capacity and resources to take action?(If not, then could lead to frustration) Do I need others to contribute in terms of resources/reforms? Can I motivate others? Are others likely to collaborate?Do I have access to higher levels?(Depends upon whether resources, reformists are identifiable within the system)
Reforms/increased resources
IMPROVED SERVICES
8. An Illustrative Causal Chain: State Responsiveness
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SA as part of a long term ongoing political engagement by social actors with the state
SA can have a range of outcomes of interest Causal chains help highlight the different
potential pathways towards reaching desired outcomes
Causal chains can help develop a theory of change for interventions, provide a framework for understanding context and documenting it, enable tweaking as initiatives unfold and offer a means of assessing impact
9. Conclusions