Answering the call for civic engagement: how low-income countries plan to involve citizens in poverty reduction
Date
2006
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The inability of aid alone to improve the conditions of the poor in the developing world has transitioned poverty reduction strategies from economic and capital building initiatives to good governance and civic engagement approaches. However, in low-income countries where high levels of extreme poverty, histories of governmental instability, limited financial resources, poor economic track records, and strong distrust between citizens and the state prevail, civic engagement is a demanding and challenging process. ☐ This study explores low-income countries proposed strategies for civic engagement through a content analysis of 44 country-written Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) initiated by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Categorized in a Civic Engagement Typology, these strategies include: (1) strengthening decentralization; (2) creating a legal framework; (3) establishing new institutions; (4) increasing responsibilities for active civil societies; and (5) building civil societies. ☐ To further assess citizen opportunities in poverty reduction initiatives, this study also includes two specific country case studies of Uganda and Mozambique. The findings reveal that the keys to beneficial and self-sustaining development agendas are civic engagement policies, which address public participation biases, spread civic literacy and awareness, and provide and protect opportunities for citizen engagement. These tenets proposed in a Resource, Opportunities, Patience, and Education (R.O.P.E.) model are invaluable practices to answering the call for civic engagement.