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What are the best ways to lead anti-democratic states to development?

In many states in sub-Saharan Africa, governments are anti-democratic and obstruct development. These states are not dysfunctional, as donors often believe. They simply function according to a different logic: continuing in power is more important to leaders than developing their nations. Donors should therefore focus on understanding the socio-economic and political systems in these states and the logic that drives policy making.

In recent years it has become clear how difficult it is to build democratic, accountable states in sub-Saharan Africa. Many African nations, since independence, have developed into neopatrimonial states that are controlled by a network of powerful individuals. Research from the Overseas Development Institute, in the UK, seeks to understand the logic of power in such neopatrimonial states.

The author asks how donors can help create the political will for development in these countries when politicians spend most of their energy on staying in power. Donor money has been poured into under-resourced services, but this only helps sustain the governments. Furthermore, aid can be diverted from the state budget, increasing the control of the elite.

Donors need to understand that it can take generations for a country to develop. They should support the historical forces that will eventually lead these countries to development.

The study finds that in neopatrimonial states:

Real power and decisions about resources are made by ‘big men’, who are linked by informal networks that exist outside the state structure.
Decisions follow a logic of personal interest rather than national progress. Development and governance are subordinated to the overriding goal of gaining and retaining power.
Communities remain highly reliant on patrons. When the state is unable to provide services consistently the system of back-door connections to goods and services also benefits those at the bottom and weakens their demand for change.
Elections are centred on personalities – individuals and their historical connections – rather than on voting records, platforms or principles.
Governments are unresponsive to their citizens, attempt to crush civil society organisations and control the private media.
Parliaments are weak and, at their worst, corrupt Members of Parliament will change laws that allow presidents to win elections beyond the statutory term.

The study argues that donors should understand the political context of a country. They should design programmes that simultaneously encourage positive social change and reform state institutions. The study recommends that donors:

design programmes to address the causes of poor governance and state fragility
address weaknesses in parliaments, judiciaries and corruption commissions, paying attention to the political networking and operation of each institution
help poor and voiceless groups organise themselves to demand services, state accountability and their human rights
find ways to strengthen the independent media
support civil society organisations that monitor and report on government spending and promote their participation in decision-making
publicise political and economic research on the way neopatrimonial states function
support truth commissions and ‘history projects’ and publicise their findings; support regulatory commissions such as the African Commission for Human and People’s Rights.

Source(s):
‘The Logic of African Neopatrimonialism: What Role for Donors?’, Development Policy Review, Vol.25, No.5, pages 599-614, by Diana Cammack, 2007

id21 Research Highlight: 28 March 2008

Further Information:
Diana Cammack
Poverty and Public Policy Group
Overseas Development Institute
111 Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7JD, UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 7922 0381/0386
Fax: +44 (0)20 7922 0399
Contact the contributor: d.cammack@odi.org.uk

Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK

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