Institute of Development Studies

About the Governance team

Central to the team's view of governance is public authority, a concept that underlines how governance is connected to legitimacy and adherence to socially defined ideas as to rules, rights and duties, and the law. In a globalising world, institutions of governance are global, regional and state-led (as well as state-opposed) and local in scope. This makes governance dynamic, complex and contested, not least on account of overlapping and competing jurisdictions, huge inequalities in power and resources and the apparent ease with which the rights of citizens are abused. From the perspective of the poor and vulnerable, 'crises' of governance and public authority take many forms and demand different kinds of action - and research.

Seeing governance as multi-leveled and networked, the team explores how governance works at different levels and how these interrelate. At state-global level, our research enquires into ways states respond to new global forces. These include pressures toward 'bad governance' and regulatory actions taken by international and regional organisation in relation to security reform, humanitarian interventions, conflict and peace building. Work in these areas is being conducted through an ESRC-funded programme on Global Uncertainties in an Africa of networked, multi-level governance. At state level, recent research by the Development Research Centre for the Future State explored the means through which states acquire legitimacy and build capacity (especially in relation to taxation, performance in delivering state services and public goods, and ability to relate to the private sector) and as well as citizen involvement and collective action to bring about social accountability. Our research on taxation is being developed further in the new International Centre for Tax and Development. In addition, research underway in the Africa Power and Politics Programme focuses on justice reform and public authority. Research on state-local relations raises questions about justice provision and on how policy models incorporate 'informal' or traditional forms of governance as well as the political challenges posed at all levels by extractive activities in poor regions.

The team has a commitment to research that seeks to make a positive difference in the lives of people who are living in poverty. Team members predominantly have backgrounds in political science, international relations, sociology, geography, and development studies. Large-scale comparative research on service delivery and social accountability has focused on Brazil and India. Research on security, security reform and institutions has largely concentrated on African settings while work on extractive economies has been based in Latin America. Across the team there is broad expertise in Africa, Asia, Latin America and post-communist states of Russia and Eastern Europe. There is a strong engagement in using evidence-based research to challenge and refine policy ideas and practice, and develop dialogic relations with academic and policy institutions and donor agencies. The team has a strong track record in publishing in top peer-reviewed journals. Members have teaching responsibilities at IDS with regard to doctoral students and the MA Governance and Development. Currently team members are developing new activities in capacity building, research design and methodologies with social scientists in Africa.

Further Information

Please contact the Governance Team Administrative Co-ordinator