Political Transition and Inclusive Development in Malawi

Malawi is among the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa that has witnessed significant improvements in relation to meeting the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets. It exhibits some of the main challenges facing African democracies while they attempt to consolidate the benefits of democratisation. Political Transition and Inclusive Development in Malawi critically analyses opportunities and constraints related to the impact of democracy on development in one of the world's poorest countries. The book explores how, and to what extent, processes related to democratic and economic governance can be strengthened in order to make political and administrative authorities more responsive to development needs. It also considers characteristics of successful implementation of public policy and the effective and timely delivery of basic services in local contexts; increased citizen participation and dialogue with local government authorities; factors that enable civil society organisations to hold political and administrative officials to account; and better utilisation of academic research for improved evidence-based policy formulation and implementation. This volume will be of great interest to scholars in development studies, African studies, politics, law and anthropology, as well as policymakers and those interested in democracy, governance, human rights and the implementation of anti-poverty programmes, development administration and decentralisation.

Dan Banik is Professor of political science and Research Director at the Centre for Development and the Environment, University of Oslo, Norway. He is also a Consulting Scholar at the Center for Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law at Stanford University, USA. Blessings Chinsinga is Professor at the Department of Political and Administrative Studies at Chancellor College, University of Malawi, Malawi. He is also Deputy Director of the University of Malawi's Centre for Social Research.

1. Introduction Part I: Democratisation and Political Culture 2. Progress or Stagnation? 20 years of Democracy 3. Political Parties, Political Settlement and Development 4. The Judicialisation and Informalisation of Politics: Implications for Inclusive Development Part II: Governance and Policy Implementation 5. Politics and the Public Service 6. The Political Economy of Fiscal Decentralisation: Implications for Local Governance and Public Service Delivery 7. Searching for a Holy Grail? The Nexus between Agriculture and Youth Unemployment Part III: Activism, Aid and Accountability 8. Against All Odds: Parliamentary Oversight over a Dominant Executive 9. The Impact of Emerging Donors on Development and Poverty Reduction 10. Women, Media and Culture in Democratic Malawi 11. Major Conclusions