Approaches to Improving the Delivery of Social Services in Difficult ...
Approaches to Improving the Delivery of Social Services in Difficult ...
Approaches to Improving the Delivery of Social Services in Difficult ...
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<strong>Approaches</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Improv<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Delivery</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Social</strong> <strong>Services</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Difficult</strong> EnvironmentsPolitical will but weak capacityAnnex II: Types <strong>of</strong> EnvironmentThis <strong>in</strong>cludes environments that may be challenged <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir mobilisation <strong>of</strong>resources for poverty reduction due <strong>to</strong> any or several <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g: lack <strong>of</strong>basic fiscal and monetary build<strong>in</strong>g blocks; challenges <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> state’s terri<strong>to</strong>rialcontrol and presence; and unstable or weak (but legitimate) political<strong>in</strong>stitutions with a commitment <strong>to</strong> poverty reduction. However, despite <strong>the</strong>seweaknesses, <strong>the</strong>se states are considered responsive <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> poor. Malawi andZambia could be seen as examples <strong>of</strong> high will<strong>in</strong>gness but low capacity.Some countries emerg<strong>in</strong>g from conflict may be a subset <strong>of</strong> this categorywhere <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational community seeks <strong>to</strong> support and streng<strong>the</strong>n nascentgovernments. Examples <strong>in</strong>clude Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, and DRC(although <strong>in</strong> some cases, <strong>the</strong> legitimacy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> government rema<strong>in</strong>s contestedwhich affects <strong>the</strong> way <strong>in</strong> which <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational community can engage).Low will<strong>in</strong>gness and high capacityIn this type are states that may be strong <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> adm<strong>in</strong>istrative capacityand terri<strong>to</strong>rial control, but <strong>the</strong>y are unresponsive <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> poor,ei<strong>the</strong>r because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> neo patrimonial nature <strong>of</strong> state politics (as <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong>Zimbabwe and possibly Nigeria) or because a real or perceived externalthreat diverts <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> resources for o<strong>the</strong>r aims that do not tackle povertyreduction (as <strong>in</strong> North Korea). There may be difficulties <strong>in</strong> negotiat<strong>in</strong>g any k<strong>in</strong>d<strong>of</strong> access at all, and bilateral support from certa<strong>in</strong> governments may not beacceptable.Lack <strong>of</strong> political will and low capacityThis type <strong>of</strong> state may suffer from lack <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational recognition or acontested terri<strong>to</strong>ry, limited adm<strong>in</strong>istrative capacity for policy development andimplementation, and is seen as unresponsive <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> certa<strong>in</strong> groups(<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> poor). Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Sudan, Somalia, and (possibly) Nepal can beconsidered as cases <strong>in</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t. All <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se examples are <strong>in</strong> conflict.Infrastructure has been destroyed, <strong>the</strong>re is mass displacement <strong>of</strong> people,levels <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>security are high, and <strong>the</strong> government is contested.States with will<strong>in</strong>gness and stronger capacityThese states have strong state presence and terri<strong>to</strong>ry control; some degree <strong>of</strong>competence <strong>in</strong> fiscal and monetary policy or a strong adm<strong>in</strong>istrative capacityand public <strong>in</strong>stitutions that are fairly committed <strong>to</strong> development. These statesare good partners for poverty reduction, and are likely <strong>to</strong> have PRSPs <strong>in</strong>place, but may have structural risk fac<strong>to</strong>rs for state weakness that warrantspecific attention.This work<strong>in</strong>g paper is <strong>in</strong>tended <strong>to</strong> stimulate public discussion. It is not necessarily DFID orUK Government policy36