an Eldis Resource
Politics and the PRSP approach: Bolivia case study
Assessing the political developmental implications of the PRSP appraoch in Bolivia
Authors:
D. Booth; L-H. Piron
Publisher:
Overseas Development Institute, London, 2004
This case study of Bolivia addresses the political development implications of both the first National Dialogue and PRSP process in 2000, and the current process in 2003–04. The authors sets out the challenges of political development in the country, referring to historical legacies, medium-term trends and relevant policy-reform agenda from the last decade. They also consider how the political background – both basic structures and short-run circumstances – affect the scope and character of the 2000 process, and the options announced for the PRSP revision.
Based on this analysis, the authors suggest that PRSP processes can have significant and positive effects on a country’s political development (as long as only reasonable expectations are entertained). They also find that it is important to understand political conjunctures as well as long-term political structures and trajectories. An implication for donors is that they should consider investing in the sort of analysis, capabilities and institutional memory that this implies if they are to position themselves effectively in PRSP processes.
