The Systems Work of Social Change offers a set of relevant principles, practices and examples for how to work differently towards social change goals. However, it falls somewhat short of in terms of connecting this to broader systems change efforts.
A review of “Patching Development” by Rajesh Veeraraghavan, with a comparison between state and civil society led accountability efforts for implementation of the rural employment program in India.
A recent series of learning exchanges surfaced lessons about understanding, navigating and strengthening the accountability ecosystem.
How do we know if our efforts to shift government are leading to more durable responsiveness or a series of one-off responses? Where does accountability fit in? A short discussion on response, responsiveness and accountability.
Overview of recent think piece on the minimum wage campaign drawing on the ideas of Thomas Piketty, with insights for reformers.
A collective learning exchange with Ghanaian CSOs working on fiscal governance issues led to insights on working more effectively through collective strategies and learning. However, this means moving beyond current approaches focused on narrower advocacy objectives and constrained by isolated projects.
As we reflect on our engagement with grassroots actors in the SPARK program, emerging lessons are coming up around how to engage and shift budgets and services, and what it means to do so at scale.
In a previous post, I outlined the main ideas of Thomas Piketty’s monumental book Capital and Ideology. In this blog, I seek to outline ideas based on Piketty and others for addressing inequality going forward. What should we take away from Capital and Ideology? Perhaps Piketty is setting up the sequel to Capital and Ideology,…
This is a longer post, but the book is 1000+ pages. This post focuses on the main ideas from Piketty’s book, while the following blog focuses on the key insights for current efforts to address inequality. “Inequality is neither economic nor technological; it is ideological and political…These choices [about policy, markets, role of the state,…
This post first appeared on the International Budget Partnership’s blog here Governments around the world are at a critical juncture. Democracy is continuing to erode in countries across the globe, with increasing threats to citizens’ freedoms and restrictions on civic organizations. At the same time inequality is high and rising. Frustration with governments (democratic or…
Government responses to COVID-19 will determine how negatively the crisis impacts marginalized groups. Strengthening accountability for these responses is critical, and demands a broader, systemic perspective than many efforts in the past. Let’s learn both from existing evidence and experiences, and our ongoing efforts around COVID-19.
Public audits are important tools for accountability, but whether they are effective depends on the analysis that shapes them and the strategies through which they are leveraged.
The Open Government Partnership is at a critical moment. I propose several questions and suggestions to help the initiative chart a bolder path forward.
Participatory budgeting is a rapidly expanding practice, but is it leading to meaningful change or box ticking? I explore some relevant considerations and practical steps forward.
As I discussed in a previous blog, SPARK is a new IBP program that will support and leverage public engagement around service delivery issues that affect citizens’ lives as an entry point to shaping budget processes and outcomes in the directions of justice, inclusiveness and democracy. One of the key elements of SPARK is an…
Tools and musings from an evaluation enthusiast
Professor of Politics and Public Policy, University of Stirling
Musings on the politics of governance and development
Activists and Scholars Debate Social Movements and Social Change
critical reflections on how we measure and assess civic tech
Forum for thinking and action in international development
Musings on the politics of governance and development
Musings on the politics of governance and development
Musings on the politics of governance and development
Musings on the politics of governance and development
Musings on the politics of governance and development
Musings on the politics of governance and development
Musings on the politics of governance and development
Musings on the politics of governance and development
Musings on the politics of governance and development
Ruminations on systemic economic and social change
Worthy of respect in a democratic society
Musings on the politics of governance and development
Politics, Governance and Development 