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2. The politics of social protection in Eastern and Southern Africa: Actors, institutions and dynamics
- Author:
- Sam Hickey, Tom Laver, Miguel Niño-Zarazúa, and Jeremy Seekings
- Publication Date:
- 12-2019
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- United Nations University
- Abstract:
- Since the mid-1990s, there has been in Africa something of a ‘quiet revolution’ in poverty reduction strategies with the proliferation of social assistance programmes that entail cash transfers to the poor. The past two decades have also been characterized by a series of important political developments that have reshaped both state–society relations within sub-Saharan Africa and its relationship with transnational actors. What lies behind these changes?
- Topic:
- Development, International Organization, Poverty, and Social Services
- Political Geography:
- Africa, South Africa, and East Africa
3. Industries without smokestacks: Industrialization in Africa reconsidered
- Author:
- Richard Newfarmer and John Page
- Publication Date:
- 10-2018
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- United Nations University
- Abstract:
- Our research shows that structural change in Africa is relying on a new set of economic activities, called ‘industries without smokestacks’, created by recent technological changes and a changing global market place. Adopting a broad concept of industrialization is crucial to recognizing that manufacturing, while important, is not everything. However, a lot needs to be done internationally, regionally and at the country-level to push these unique drivers of structural change.
- Topic:
- Development, Economic Growth, Investment, Diversification, and Industry
- Political Geography:
- Africa
4. Multi-actor Approaches to Total Sanitation in Africa
- Author:
- Kei Otsuki, Weena Gera, and David Mungai
- Publication Date:
- 12-2013
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- United Nations University
- Abstract:
- Since the 2000s, African cities have witnessed a series of interventions to improve water and sanitation. This policy brief outlines key lessons learned from the intervention experience, drawing on the UNU research project Multi-level Urban Governance for Total Sanitation (2011-2013) under the Education for Sustainable Development in Africa (ESDA) Project. It highlights the importance of multi-actor approaches for promoting: (1) an institutional framework to coordinate civil society organizations, community-based organizations, and the state agencies across levels; (2) policy recognition of water and sanitation as socially embedded infrastructure with gendered dimensions; and (3) the relevance of scientific research and university education to ongoing policy interventions.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Development, Health, and Infrastructure
- Political Geography:
- Africa
5. Democratic Trajectories in Africa: Unravelling the Impact of Foreign Aid
- Author:
- Danielle Resnick
- Publication Date:
- 10-2013
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- United Nations University
- Abstract:
- When, why and how has foreign aid facilitated, or hindered, democracy in recipient countries? Focusing on sub-Saharan Africa, this policy brief examines the impact of foreign aid on supporting transitions from one-party to multi-party regimes, preventing democratic breakdown and the erosion of civil liberties, enhancing vertical and horizontal accountability, and enabling competitive political party systems. Particular attention is given to the trade-offs and complementarities between different types of foreign aid, namely democracy assistance and economic development aid. Select policy recommendations are offered to improve aid effectiveness at bolstering democratic trajectories within the region.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Democratization, Development, Economics, Human Rights, Political Economy, and Foreign Aid
- Political Geography:
- Africa
6. Achieving Development Success: Strategies and Lessons from the Developing World
- Author:
- Augustin K. Fosu
- Publication Date:
- 03-2013
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- United Nations University
- Abstract:
- What can the less well-off developing countries learn from the “successes” of other developing countries? This Policy Brief highlights successful development strategies and lessons from in-depth case studies of select countries from the developing world. The coverage includes East Asia and the Pacific, the emerging Asian giants, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa, along with respective regional syntheses. Although countries' experiences are not necessarily replicable, the recurrent themes across countries and regions provide the appropriate connectedness for a comprehensive global perspective on development strategies and lessons.
- Topic:
- Development, Emerging Markets, and Poverty
- Political Geography:
- Africa, Middle East, Israel, and Latin America
7. Fiscal Policy for Poverty Reduction, Reconstruction, and Growth
- Author:
- Matthew Smith, Alan Roe, and Tony Addison
- Publication Date:
- 06-2006
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- United Nations University
- Abstract:
- An effective state is able to mobilize revenue and spend it on infrastructure, services, and public goods that both enhance human capital and the well-being of communities (especially the poor), as well as stimulating investment and employment creation by the private sector. An effective state also manages public finance to ensure that macroeconomic balance is maintained—with policy neither too restrictive to discourage private investment and growth, nor too accommodative to create high inflation and crowd out private investment. Fiscal issues are therefore at the heart of the state's role in the development process and failure in this policy area—whether it is in taxation, public expenditures, or in managing the fiscal deficit and public debt—can quickly undermine growth and poverty reduction. Fiscal weakness can also be fatal to social peace when one or more ethnic, religious, or regional groups are taxed unfairly—or receives too little in the allocation of public spending.
- Topic:
- Debt, Development, Economics, and Poverty
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Asia