Political economy analysis (PEA) for economic and private sector reforms (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 971)
The report includes case studies where PEA has impacted on economic and private sector reform
Abstract
Query
Identify examples of political economy analysis (PEA) being used to support economic and private sector (EPS) policy or institutional reforms. If possible, identify how widely used PEA is within development actor economic programming and which PEA tools seem most appropriate in the sector.
Key findings
It is inherently difficult to identify how widely political economy analysis (PEA) is used to support economic and private sector (EPS) programming for a number of reasons.
PEA is one of a number of factors that can influence programming and implementation and it is difficult to state categorically that a PEA had a definitive impact on reforms. It is also likely that there are a large number of PEAs which are undertaken internally in donor, and other, organisations. These can impact on the choice and type of policy and institutional reforms, but this decision process would not be visible externally.
This helpdesk report looks firstly at the range of tools and approaches that relate to PEA and identifies those most relevant to EPS reform. A quick mapping of key bilateral and multilateral donors shows which tools are favoured or have been produced by different donors and how they are being used. The final section outlines a number of case studies were authors have concluded that PEA has impacted on EPS reform.
Citation
Rao, S. Political economy analysis for economic and private sector reforms (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 971). Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK (2013) 11 pp.
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