The Asia Foundation

Occasional Paper No. 2, July 2010

The processes of development are fundamentally shaped by powerful political, economic, and security actors in aid-recipient countries. These actors use their influence to shape formal governance...

Occasional Paper No. 2, July 2010

The processes of development are fundamentally shaped by powerful political, economic, and security actors in aid-recipient countries. These actors use their influence to shape formal governance institutions, policies, and the distribution of development assistance to advance their interests. The political settlements framework is an important new approach that may help international development organizations to better understand and respond to this reality and the challenges to developmental progress that is often affected by political dynamics in developing countries. This paper seeks to translate the concepts underlying political settlements into principles, strategies, and guidelines for practical action by donors and other development assistance organizations.

Thomas Parks, Regional Director for Governance and Conflict, The Asia Foundation
William Cole, Senior Director, Governance, Law, and Civil Society Programs & Program Strategy and Development, The Asia Foundation

Occasional Paper No. 3, September 2010

This paper sketches out the operational features of emerging political economy-based approaches to sectoral economic policy reform. Section 1 traces some of the literature on the political...

Occasional Paper No. 3, September 2010

This paper sketches out the operational features of emerging political economy-based approaches to sectoral economic policy reform. Section 1 traces some of the literature on the political economy analysis of reforms. Section 2 outlines the international development community’s increasing recognition of the political economy aspects of economic governance, and their efforts to undertake sharper political economy analysis of reform challenges. Finally, in Section 3 the paper identifies elements of operational reform approaches that move beyond disengaged political economy analysis towards on-the-ground implementation of political strategies in policy reform processes.

V. Bruce J. Tolentino, Director, Economic Reform and Development, The Asia Foundation

Conducted by The Asia Foundation's office in Bangkok, this is its first public perception survey focused on Thailand's three southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwas, and Pattani. The survey provides essential information on citizen views...

Conducted by The Asia Foundation's office in Bangkok, this is its first public perception survey focused on Thailand's three southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwas, and Pattani. The survey provides essential information on citizen views and experiences in a region that has been plagued by unrest for six years.

In this issue: "Afghanistan Poll," "Ten Years in Vietnam," "First-ever Survey on Thailand's Troubled South," "Luce Scholars," "Cambodia: Countering Domestic Violence," "Partner Highlight: Del Monte Foundation Gets Books to Children in the...

In this issue: "Afghanistan Poll," "Ten Years in Vietnam," "First-ever Survey on Thailand's Troubled South," "Luce Scholars," "Cambodia: Countering Domestic Violence," "Partner Highlight: Del Monte Foundation Gets Books to Children in the Philippines," "Spotlight: David D. Arnold Leads The Asia Foundation," and Program Highlights from Malaysia and Mongolia.

The Asia Foundation's second national survey of 1,500 Thai citizens explores the depth of color divisions in contemporary Thailand; key topics include the state of democracy in Thailand, elections, conflict and security, and options for...

The Asia Foundation's second national survey of 1,500 Thai citizens explores the depth of color divisions in contemporary Thailand; key topics include the state of democracy in Thailand, elections, conflict and security, and options for reconciliation.

Thai language version of The Asia Foundation's second national survey of 1,500 Thai citizens explores the depth of color divisions in contemporary Thailand; key topics include the state of democracy in Thailand, elections, conflict and...

Thai language version of The Asia Foundation's second national survey of 1,500 Thai citizens explores the depth of color divisions in contemporary Thailand; key topics include the state of democracy in Thailand, elections, conflict and security, and options for reconciliation.

The global economic crisis has severely affected the export-dependent economies of Thailand and Vietnam, and threatens to undermine their development progress. The Asia Foundation (Foundation) is partnering with The Rockefeller Foundation to...

The global economic crisis has severely affected the export-dependent economies of Thailand and Vietnam, and threatens to undermine their development progress. The Asia Foundation (Foundation) is partnering with The Rockefeller Foundation to alleviate the impact of the recession in both of these countries, by supporting civil society organizations to provide legal aid and crucial social services to the most vulnerable populations, and working with local communities to develop new income-generation prospects that can link local traditions and institutions to market opportunities.

The global economic crisis has severely affected the export-dependent economies of Thailand and Vietnam, and threatens to undermine their development progress. The Asia Foundation (Foundation) is partnering with The Rockefeller Foundation to...

The global economic crisis has severely affected the export-dependent economies of Thailand and Vietnam, and threatens to undermine their development progress. The Asia Foundation (Foundation) is partnering with The Rockefeller Foundation to alleviate the impact of the recession in both of these countries, by supporting civil society organizations to provide legal aid and crucial social services to the most vulnerable populations, and working with local communities to develop new income-generation prospects that can link local traditions and institutions to market opportunities.

Aid to Subnational Conflict and Post-Conflict Areas: Balancing Development, Governance, and Security

Subnational conflict is a widespread problem in Asia, affecting nearly two-thirds of the countries in South and Southeast Asia. While...

Aid to Subnational Conflict and Post-Conflict Areas: Balancing Development, Governance, and Security

Subnational conflict is a widespread problem in Asia, affecting nearly two-thirds of the countries in South and Southeast Asia. While most of Asia is rapidly developing, subnational conflict areas typically lag behind in key development indicators. Many of these regions have been afflicted by conflict for decades, leading to protracted cycles of under-development, poor governance and instability. These conditions create an environment that stifles local economic growth, prevents integration into the national and regional economies, and leads to deteriorating social services. The project team will focus on four cases of subnational conflicts and post-conflict in Asia: Mindanao and Sulu (Philippines), Southern Thailand, Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka, and Aceh (Indonesia).

While much of Asia is developing rapidly, several countries and subnational regions remain caught in protracted cycles of conflict and fragility, leading to under-development, poor governance and instability. State-society relations in these...

While much of Asia is developing rapidly, several countries and subnational regions remain caught in protracted cycles of conflict and fragility, leading to under-development, poor governance and instability. State-society relations in these environments are often troubled, and have frequently become the primary cause of prolonged conflict and fragility. Many citizens in conflict-affected and fragile regions have come to see their government as distant, unresponsive, inaccessible, or absent altogether. When citizens perceive states as illegitimate, many will simply avoid contact with their governments, and in some cases support violent challenges to state authority.

While much of Asia is developing rapidly, some countries and subnational regions remain caught in protracted cycles of conflict and fragility, leading to under-development, poor governance and instability. State-society relations in these...

While much of Asia is developing rapidly, some countries and subnational regions remain caught in protracted cycles of conflict and fragility, leading to under-development, poor governance and instability. State-society relations in these environments are often troubled, and have frequently become the primary cause of prolonged conflict and fragility. Many citizens in conflict-affected and fragile regions have come to see their government as distant, unresponsive, inaccessible, or absent altogether. When citizens perceive states as illegitimate, many will simply avoid contact with their governments, and in some cases support violent challenges to state authority.