Learning Journal 2000 worlds
Nayef_222
Lecture3CivilSocietyandthePolicyProcess1.pptxCivil society and the policy process
Ipshita basu
Learning outcomes
Appreciate a non-linear view of the policy process.
Recognise that policies are narratives and that language matters!
Identify at what stages of the policy process, how and with which actors do NGOs work to influence the policy process.
Theories: Critical Policy Analysis (Policy narratives, Labelling) and Hirschman’s Exit, Voice and Loyalty
POLICY PROCESS – THE LINEAR MODEL (Grindle and Thomas, 1990)
Policy circle – non linear model
DIFFERENT MODELS OF THE POLICY PROCESS
The incrementalist model : remedial measures, focuses on small changes to existing policies rather than dramatic fundamental changes. E.g. giving bed nets to reduce malaria rather than change sanitation system.
Policy as arguments: where policy is developed through debate between state and societal actors, language is important not only depicts reality but also shapes debates. Example: Rohingya in Bangladesh to be labelled as ‘illegal immigrants’, ‘refugees’, ‘poor citizens’; Burmese/stateless.
Policy as social experiment: sees social change as a process of trial and error, which involves successive hypotheses being tested against reality in an experimental manner. Example: free textbooks/free school meals- what can increase attendance at primary schools.
DIFFERENT MODELS OF THE POLICY PROCESS
4. Policy as interactive learning: an actor-perspective emphasising the need to take into account the opinions of individuals, agencies and social groups that have a stake in how a system evolves. Example participatory rural appraisal methods to evaluate and change poverty reduction programmes (Chambers, 1983).
NGOs in/and/of the policy process
At what stages of the policy process could NGOs be involved?
What would their role be?
Who will they have to work with?
How can ngoS LEGITIMATELY INFLUENCE POLICY?
Part 1
STAGES OF POLICY PROCESS AND WHEN NGOs GET INOLVED
NGOS IN THE PROCESS
AGDENDA SETTING: Naming and Defining the problem
DECISION-MAKING: What is to be done vs What can be done?
IMPLEMENTATION: Ensuring policy is implemented fairly, equitably, efficiently.
NGOS ‘ ACTIVITIES
PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH
ADVOCACY, COMMUNICATION, POLICY DIALOGUE
MONITORING AND EVALUATION (both real time, and after the programme ends)
Participatory Research for ‘inclusive policy’
Participatory Rural Appraisal was developed in response to methods viewed as ‘extractive’ or ‘elicitive’ such as surveys or structured interviews.
Traditionally, a researcher’s world-view (the ‘etic’ view) is prioritised over the world views and knowledge of those being researched and actually experiencing the issue at hand (the ‘emic’ view).
PRA reverses researcher-led research to participants led research
PARTICIPATORY RURAL APPRAISAL: techniques
-Interest groups
-Direct Observation
-Semi structured interviews
-Sketch mapping
-Ranking
Participatory data- vignettes
https://youtu.be/F2ZYBFCHb4s?t=417
What would the role of ngos be in policy-making?
Part 2
PROVIDING AN ALTERNATIVE political narrative
A POLICY (DEVELOPMENT) NARRATIVE IS A STORY, HAVING A BEGINNING, MIDDLE AND END, OUTLINING A SPECIFIC COURSE OF EVENTS WHICH HAVE GAINED THE STATUS OF CONVENTIONAL OR RECEIVED WISDOM WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT FIELD.
E.g. Crisis narratives on Africa such as rising birth rates, over utilisation of scare resources, population flows from countryside to cities, increased unemployment, poor hygiene and poverty.
Policy discourse
A policy (development) discourse is a particular way of thinking and arguing which involves the political activity of naming and classifying, and which excludes other ways of thinking. Example, state interventionist vs market led development
A discourse relates to modes of thought, values and fundamental approaches to issues, whereas narratives define an approach to a specific development problem.
NGO INFLUENCE THE POLICY DISCOURSE SO THAT IT REFLECTS RIGHTS BASED/COMMUNNITY LED VIEWS.
Pay attention to Labelling of groups: development planning makes repeated use of target group labels such as ‘rural poor’; ‘peasant’ or ‘landless’ (Wood, 1985)
Provide alternatives to Framing of issues to be tackled; the way policy problems are defined , to distinguish some aspects of a situation from others (Hajer, 1993)
Contextualise technical solutions to social, political and economic power differentials in society Technical policy solutions appear obvious and unquestionable, couched as a problem solving activity (Apthorpe and Gasper, 1996) or have a cloak of neutrality (Foucault), and NGOs change this by offering an approach that takes into account intra community power differentials, for example.
NGO AND GLOBAL POLICY MAKING
Non-governmental organisations encourage the promotion and adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and put pressure on the private and public sectors to incorporate them within their frameworks and strategies.
As epistemic Communities (experts) in international regimes, to influence policy innovation, policy diffusion, policy selection, policy persistence.
See this report on NGOs and the SDGs here: https://www.sustainablesids.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/NGOs-leading-SDGs-Sustainable-Brands.pdf
Who will ngos have to work with?
Part 3
COMMUNITIES:
Exit (economics) Example Milton Friedman’s suggestion of introducing market mechanisms into public education.
Voice (politics)
NGOs for voice?
NGOs are CATALYSTS FOR VOICE-EMPOWERMENT-DEMOCRATIC PLURALISM
Harry Blair, 2000
“Newly empowered groups become part of civil society and within a political empowerment of democratic pluralism they advocate policy changes that lead to policy reduction. Norther and Southern NGOs, developing country governments support this process.”
Claire Short, 2000
“Southern NGOs should not limit themselves to service provision or advocacy for the poor, they should enable the poor to make their own demands.”
INTERNATIONAL AID@ UK’S CIVIL SOCIETY CHALLENGE FUND
NGOs and state
Help government in gaining the community uptake of policies. E..g. Public Services provided online
Pressure group to raise concerns on environmental, gender, representation, voice concerns linked to policy.
Conduct an innovative social programme and then advocate to scale this as a government backed programme.
DFID CIVIL SOCIETY CHALLENGE FUND
National governments
NGOs and STATE
CIVIL SOCIETY CHALLENGE FUND REVIEW - DFID
CSOs told us that DFID should better recognise the sector’s diversity and the unique contribution a wide range of CSOs make to DFID’s work. This could include a clearer approach for working with organisations that are neither seen as, nor identify themselves as primarily development organisations. These include some faith groups, social enterprises or women’s groups.
There was a strong and frequently expressed view that CSOs based in developing countries are increasingly capable, and demonstrate the legitimacy, sustainability and ability to deliver value for money. DFID should develop a more systematic approach to help civil society in developing countries develop the skills, knowledge and capacity that will enable them to achieve greater effectiveness and secure funding directly.
ANY QUESTIONS?
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