Search results

Few concepts have captured the imagination of the conflict and development communities in recent years as powerfully as the idea of a 'political settlement'. At its most ambitious, 'political settlements analysis' (PSA) promises to explain why conflicts occur and states collapse, the conditions for their successful rehabilitation, different developmental pathways from peace, and how to better fit development policy to country context. Yet despite the meteoric rise of the term and its tremendous promise, not all is well in the world of PSA. Rival definitions of the concept abound; there are disagreements about its scope and the way it should be used; a growing schism between conflict specialists and economists; basic concepts are ambiguous; and little progress has been made on measurement. This book consequently has three main aims. The first is to argue for a revised definition of a political settlement, capable of unifying its diverse strands. The second is to put the concept on a more solid theoretical and scientific footing, providing a method for measuring and categorizing political settlements, using both qualitative case studies and a large-n statistical analysis to illustrate its potential. And the third is to examine the implications of the findings for mainstream social science analysis and for policymakers.

Few concepts have captured the imagination of the conflict and development communities in recent years as powerfully as the idea of a 'political settlement'. At its most ambitious, 'political settlements analysis' (PSA) promises to explain why conflicts occur and states collapse, the conditions for their successful rehabilitation, different developmental pathways from peace, and how to better fit development policy to country context. Yet despite the meteoric rise of the term and its tremendous promise, not all is well in the world of PSA. Rival definitions of the concept abound; there are disagreements about its scope and the way it should be used; a growing schism between conflict specialists and economists; basic concepts are ambiguous; and little progress has been made on measurement. This book consequently has three main aims. The first is to argue for a revised definition of a political settlement, capable of unifying its diverse strands. The second is to put the concept on a more solid theoretical and scientific footing, providing a method for measuring and categorizing political settlements, using both qualitative case studies and a large-n statistical analysis to illustrate its potential. And the third is to examine the implications of the findings for mainstream social science analysis and for policymakers.

The primacy of political settlements on democracy promotion -- The political-military organizations and the emergence of mass-based grassroots organizations -- Political settlements and the re-configuration of civic and political life -- Foreign donor assistance and the political economy of settlement outcomes -- Beyond professionalization : foreign aid and transformation of the women's sectors -- Hamas after electoral victory : Fatah and the western donor community respond -- Conclusion : non-inclusive settlements and democracy's long haul in comparative perspective -- Appendix I: Interviews -- Appendix II: Foreign donors.

Introduction and Overview / Abdul Raufu Mustapha, Kate Meagher and Nicholas Awortwi -- Political Economy and Settlements in Development and Employment Policies in Ethiopia / Assefa Admassie, Kassahun Berhanu Alemu and Mesfin Gebremichael -- Political Economy of Agriculture and Unemployment in Kenya / Paul Kamau, Winnie Mitullah, Joshua Kivuva and Martin Atela -- Political Settlements and the Rice and Cotton Industries in Nigeria / Aremu Fatai Ayinde, Kwaghe Patrick Vandi, Jijji Saadu, and Agbiboa Daniel Egiegba -- Inclusive Growth in the Wheat-Food Processing and Cotton-Textile Value Chains in Ethiopia / Assefa Admassie, Kassahun Berhanu Alemu, Mesfin Gebremichael and Martin Atela -- Employment Creation and Political Settlements in Kenya's Cut-Flower and Sugar Sub-Sectors / Winnie Mitullah, Paul Kamau and Joshua Kivuva -- Political Economy of Agriculture and Unemployment in Nigeria / Aremu Fatai Ayinde, Kwaghe Patrick Vandi, Jijji Saadu, and Agbiboa Daniel Egiegba.

"This book explores the ways in which political settlements can contribute to positive changes in Africa's agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Contemporary Africa has seen many governments, donors, and commercial private enterprises supporting innovative agricultural and agro-processing schemes with the purpose of diversifying economies. However, many of the schemes collapse or at best fail to generate the needed jobs. Focusing on case studies in Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia, this book takes an interdisciplinary approach that combines econometric modelling research, life histories, policy approaches methods, and political economy theory to reframe the field with new questions. The contributors offer alternative explanations for the failure of employment creation schemes in Africa and show how political settlements can bring together stakeholders to settle on win-win approaches to productive employment schemes and inclusive development. Providing new insights on the political economy of agrarian and labour relations in Africa, this book will be of interest to policy actors and development practitioners wishing to support inclusive growth in Africa, as well as to scholars of African politics and economics, public policy and development"--

"This book explores the ways in which political settlements can contribute to positive changes in Africa's agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Contemporary Africa has seen many governments, donors, and commercial private enterprises supporting innovative agricultural and agro-processing schemes with the purpose of diversifying economies. However, many of the schemes collapse or at best fail to generate the needed jobs. Focusing on case studies in Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia, this book takes an interdisciplinary approach that combines econometric modelling research, life histories, policy approaches methods, and political economy theory to reframe the field with new questions. The contributors offer alternative explanations for the failure of employment creation schemes in Africa and show how political settlements can bring together stakeholders to settle on win-win approaches to productive employment schemes and inclusive development. Providing new insights on the political economy of agrarian and labour relations in Africa, this book will be of interest to policy actors and development practitioners wishing to support inclusive growth in Africa, as well as to scholars of African politics and economics, public policy and development"--