Political economy analysis is a powerful tool for improving the effectiveness of development assistance. It focuses on how power and resources are distributed and contested in different contexts, and the implications for development outcomes. It reveals the underlying interests, incentives, and institutions that enable or frustrate change. Therefore, such insights can contribute to improved agendas around governance, employment and income, natural resource management, inclusion, and service delivery which are core to SDCs cooperation strategies in Latin America—but which experience has shown do not lend themselves to technical solutions alone.
The Latin America region is already leading significant efforts to incorporate political economy analysis into operational work. Informed by political economy studies, during 2015 several mid-term reviews of cooperation strategies of several Latin American countries are being conducted. These are providing critically important elements for strategic choices on future priorities and engagement. The event will allow staff to distill the emerging findings and reflect on implications at country- and sector (àmbito) level. The final goal is to enhance the impact of SDC support.
SDC | 2015 | Key Reading
Step 3 of the political economy approach: mapping of actors. This is the handout to the presentation.
Step 3 of political economy approach: mapping the actors. J. Frank introduces the distinct PE analysis step of actor mapping, its objective and scope. The presentation gives examples and ends with a list of things to be aware of when using this analysis.
University of Connecticut | 2015 | Key Reading
Learning from Examples: a PowerPoint presentation. Building on the presentation in Session 16. V. Herrera compares two cities in Mexico how they have dealt with reforming their water sector.
The presentation defines political economy and argues why PE analysis is important in the development context. It concludes with an outline of the main steps of PE analysis.
The learning event is divided into two parts: Part 1 deals with political economy analysis at the level of cooperation strategies. Part 2 is tailored to operational needs relevant in different sectors.
SDC | 2015
This presentation proposes steps to incorporate PE analysis for SDC program steering.
University of Connecticut | 2015
A concrete example of PE analysis within the water sector in an urban area. PowerPoint presentation in English.
PowerPoint presentation in English. - How to analyze the service delivery sector with the PE glasses.
With Examples from Public Reform and Territorial Dynamics. - How to think and act politically in the field of the development cooperation.
Political Economy of Centralization and Decentralization. What is territorial dimension of power? What is the PE analysis of centralization / decentralization?
The territorial dimension of power: the Colombian case Abstract: The presentation outlines the political system of governance in Colombia and its impact on the country’s development. In a second part, M. Jaggi looks at possible entry points for reforms supported by the Swiss engagement.
Political Economy Analysis for Latin America. PowerPoint presentatin in English
Economía Política y Mapeo de Actores, Honduras. Spanish version. - The presentation defines the terms patronage and clientelism. It then outlines the steps of a political economy analysis, including the mapping of actors. The presentation concludes with recommendations for an effective PE analysis.
PowerPoint presentation in Spanish
Political economy analysis, Nicaragua, 2015. Spanish version.
Political economy analysis, Bolivia. Spanish version.