Infrastructure, Governance, and Society in Modern Africa — Karuti Kanyinga
In Pursuit Of Development
by Karuti Kanyinga, Dan Banik
1M ago
A common concern voiced by leaders in many developing nations is the deterioration of their road systems and the apparent hesitance of the international community to fund infrastructure improvements. In response, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013. This sweeping project has facilitated investments in sectors such as transportation, infrastructure, telecommunications, logistics, energy, and oil and gas. While some African citizens and policymakers view the BRI as an opportunity to expand their policy space for development, opinions are divided. The presence of Chinese inv ..read more
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Shifting Paradigms: The Global South and Feminist Political Economy Unveiled — Sara Stevano
In Pursuit Of Development
by Sara Stevano, Dan Banik
1M ago
The term "Global South" has seen an exponential rise in both academic discourse and international policy dialogues, having evolved from a mere synonym for the “Third World” to a complex geo-historical concept. In the first part of this episode, we critically analyze the utility and limitations of the term, acknowledging the diverse economic, political, and cultural realities it attempts to encapsulate. In the second section, we unpack how feminist political economy scrutinizes the power relations underlying production and consumption, challenges the fictitious separation of economic realms fro ..read more
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Patching development – Rajesh Veeraraghavan
In Pursuit Of Development
by Rajesh Veeraraghavan, Dan Banik
1M ago
Many well-designed development programs do not deliver social benefits effectively, especially to marginalized citizens. While political will and good policy design are vital for a program’s success, they often run into resistance from local power systems. How states react to the local exercise of power that often comes into play at the “last mile” of project implementation appears to be particularly important. Indeed, the extent to which development programs avoid being captured by state or local power systems is key and something that concerns both scholars and practitioners.  My guest ..read more
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The European Union and global development — Johanne Døhlie Saltnes
In Pursuit Of Development
by Johanne Døhlie Saltnes, Dan Banik
1M ago
The European Union is collectively the biggest provider of international aid in the world, contributing over € 50 billion a year to the fight against poverty and the advancement of global development. However, while the EU’s capacities and impact in foreign and security policy have been extensively discussed among scholars and policymakers, its role in promoting global development has attracted less attention. Our guest has focused her research on the contestation of international norms and values, particularly the promotion of human ..read more
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Locally led development and the future of aid — Håvard Mokleiv Nygård
In Pursuit Of Development
by Håvard Mokleiv Nygård, Dan Banik
1M ago
The global development domain currently faces huge challenges. Apart from trying to stimulate economic growth and ensuring a fair distribution of the benefits of that growth, national governments and their international partners must also tackle complex conflicts, provide humanitarian assistance, and not least address the harmful impacts of climate disruption. What then should the role of external actors be? How can good intentions be best mobilized into effective actions on the ground? Håvard Mokleiv Nygård is a Deputy Director-General of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Nora ..read more
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Rising Powers and the New Global Order — Rohan Mukherjee
In Pursuit Of Development
by Rohan Mukherjee, Dan Banik
4M ago
The liberal international order, characterized by rules-based multilateralism and values such as openness and representation, is often portrayed in terms of multiple crises. These crises, often analyzed from a Western perspective, include the reduced support of some Western powers towards certain multilateral institutions and the establishment of new ones by rising powers. However, these narratives often overlook the perspectives of low and middle-income countries, which is why in this episode, we shift our focus to understand how the Global South perceives and engages with this internati ..read more
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Great Power Competition and the Global South — Ilaria Carrozza
In Pursuit Of Development
by Dan Banik, Ilaria Carrozza
4M ago
The ever-evolving world of global power dynamics is characterized by the complex relationships between large economies such as the United States and China and how these interactions are perceived and navigated by countries in the Global South. Understanding these dynamics requires a comprehensive view of how some countries, such as China, position themselves as a challenger to the existing world order and US hegemony through their economic, structural, and normative power. While many countries in the Global South are finding it challenging to navigate the complex terrain of great power competi ..read more
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Politics, power, and resistance — Ian Shapiro
In Pursuit Of Development
by Ian Shapiro, Dan Banik
4M ago
A central theme in Ian Shapiro's extensive body of research is the concept of domination, which captures the reactive nature of human beings towards power structures. Unlike traditional political theories that imagine societies designing just orders from scratch, Ian argues that political institutions evolve in response to the rejection of unacceptable power dynamics. This reactive nature is evident in the historical shifts from feudalism to absolutism, and eventually to democracy, driven by people's resistance to absolute power. Ian Shapiro is Sterling Professor of Political Science and Globa ..read more
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Administrative Capacity and Its Impact on Development in Pakistan — Sameen A. Mohsin Ali
In Pursuit Of Development
by Sameen A. Mohsin Ali, Dan Banik
7M ago
Effective bureaucracies are pivotal in mobilizing resources, implementing development projects, and ensuring equitable distribution of growth benefits across all societal segments. Conversely, weak administrative systems often result in inefficiency, corruption, and the derailment of vital development efforts aimed at improving health, education, and economic opportunities. The significance of administrative capacity extends beyond immediate program implementation. Strong administrative systems ensure that the achievements of development policies are maintained over time, adapting to new chall ..read more
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Politics of the Planet — Lan Marie Nguyen Berg
In Pursuit Of Development
by Lan Marie Nguyen Berg, Dan Banik
7M ago
The continued reliance on a "business as usual" model is insufficient for countering the detrimental consequences of global warming. Numerous studies, including the influential reports from the IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, have sparked a keen interest in understanding the prerequisites for the societal transformations necessary to address climate change effectively. However, a significant disconnect persists between the scientific consensus on global warming and the actions taken by political leaders at international, national, and local levels. In many of my interactio ..read more
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