Political economy of decentralisation processes in Africa

Neo SimutanyiCentre for Policy Dialogue,

Zambia

EU Regional Seminar on Decentralisation & Local Governance in Africa, Nairobi, 11-14 November, 2013

Outline

1. Background: What is the political economy approach?

2. Salient features of the PEA3. Locating Drivers of Change 4. Factors of Resistance to Decentralisation5. Implications for future reform strategies

What is the Political economy approach?

• Approach which goes beyond institutional and diagnostic analysis of change processes.

• Examines motives that drive politicians to transferor not resources and functions to lower levels of government.

• Takes account of political & institutional obstacles & opportunities.

• Identifies incentives that weaken, reinforce or promote resistance to decentralisation.

Evolution of the PEA

• Mainly driven by donors and with the World Bank having done most work in integrating different approaches.

• Some other approaches related to PEA are:– Power Analysis (SIDA)– Drivers of Change (DFID)– Strategic Governance Corruption Assessment

(SGACA – Dutch Govt)– Poverty & Social Impact Assessment Analysis (WB)– Africa Power and Politics Programme (ODI)

Salient features of PEA

• Focuses on interests & incentives facing different groups

• Concerned with how different interests and incentives generate policy outcomes that may affect policy.

• Considers politics & political processes of contestation & bargaining.

• Concerned with role of institutions & formal & ‘informal rules of the game.’

• Examines role of values & ideas (beliefs) influence political behaviour

Drivers of change

• Need to identify relevant actors who shape policy and whose interests are affected by particular policy change.

• Actors include; president, parliament, government ministers, sector ministries, civil servants, local authorities, traditional rulers, CSOs, professional associations, etc.

• Need to identify actors who have potential influence over policy processes. Informal vs informal processes.

Factors of resistance to change

• Fear of loss of control and access to resources• Fear of loss of authority and influence• Fear of loss of political power and influence at

local level• Unfamiliar or reluctant to change• Opposition from actors who benefit from the

status quo.• Contestation over meaning of government,

accountability, representation and service delivery.