Barriers to Political Analysis in Aid Bureaucracies: From Principle to Practice in DFID and the World Bank. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yanguas, Pablo; Hulme, David
• Is Part Of: World development. Volume 74(2015)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: foreign aid -- aid effectiveness -- political economy analysis -- DFID -- United Kingdom -- World Bank; Economic history -- 1990- -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 330.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2015.05.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-750X

Abstract

Highlights: Political-economy analysis (PEA) is yet to be institutionalized in aid agencies. We look at practice in two most likely cases: DFID and the World Bank. PEA and political engagement tend to be ad hoc and personality-dependent. Disbursement incentives and professional cultures remain key barriers. PEA needs a framing strategy that takes it beyond the governance silo. Summary: Politics has become a central concern in development discourse, and yet the use of political analysis as a means for greater aid effectiveness remains limited and contested within development agencies. This article uses qualitative data from two governance "leaders" – the United Kingdom Department for International Development and the World Bank – to analyze the administrative hurdles facing the institutionalization of political analysis in aid bureaucracies. We find that programing, management, and training practices across headquarters and country offices remain largely untouched by a political analysis agenda which suffers from its identification with a small cross-national network of governance professionals.