This discussion paper provides an overview of the debates around pro-poor policy and raises some important issues about the nature of pro-poor policy. It identifies what types of policies might be considered pro-poor and highlights some of the challenges in policy formation and implementation.
Questions toaccompany your reading of ‘ Pro-poor policy:an overview.’
Does your work have poverty reduction as a primary aim? When reading the paper, reflect on how the work of your organisation/office/department would have to change to increase the likelihood of it having a direct impact on poverty reduction.
To what extent would an improved understanding of (a) the drivers, maintainers and interrupters of poverty and (b) the different experiences of the transitorily and chronically poor improve the quality of pro-poor aid spending?
Do the debates on policy areas e.g.health (Section 2) reflect current thinking amongst your colleagues? If not, what are the main differences?
Do you think that the discussions about the way in which the political economy affects pro-poor policy formulation and implementation provides a useful set of tools to understanding why policy is not always pro-poor (particularly the sections on the barriers to pro-poor policy formulation, regime types and the role of neo-patrimonialism and clientelism (Section 3)?
To what extent do you think a greater understanding of the political processes and institutional arrangements and norms in a country (e.g. delivered by a thorough investigation using the ‘drivers of change’ approach) are necessary to improve the quality of pro-poor aid spending?
Pro Poor Policy: A Selected Annotated Bibliography
The Annotated Bibliography on Pro Poor Policy covers the most of the relevant up-to-date literature on this theme. The first part of the bibliography lists resources in regard to various sectoral policies such as health, education, social policy and food security, and continues with policies on anti-discrimination, rights, culture and empowerment, and utilities. Further, the bibliography compiles extensive resources regarding policies on Pro Poor Growth and on the barriers and opportunities in pro poor policy formation.
Pro Poor Policy Briefing Paper: How development cooperation can support pro-poor policy processes
This discussion paper provides an overview ofthe elements that are of importance for pro-poor policy processes and howdonors are able to influence such processes. For each stage of an (idealized)policy cycle, the author presents possible responses. The paper further arguesthat for achieving tangible results, there is a need to translate evidence fromrelevant sources, which is often accessible for donors, into clearpolicy-related messages and to tailor this information to the target audience.
