The political economy of financial inclusion: tailoring donor policy to fit. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Susan; Williams, Richard
• Is Part Of: Development policy review. Volume 34:Number 5(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 721
• Page End: 743
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Financial inclusion -- political economy -- financial sector development -- Africa; Developing countries -- Economic policy -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 338.91
• DOI: 10.1111/dpr.12170
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-6764

Abstract

Abstract : Financial inclusion has recently become a globally acclaimed policy objective. This provokes the need to review policy in this sector, particularly in light of the tensions that arise between donor approaches founded on market modernism and governments with more activist leanings. This is done here in the context of efforts to move donor development policy beyond 'best practice' institutional blue‐prints to those which are 'good enough', which seek to understand underlying political economy dynamics in order to find space to engage with governments. In doing so, it is argued that there is scope for 'working with the grain' and harnessing the political economy of government policy in order to produce financial inclusion outcomes.