Beyond Institutions

The Research Consortium on Improving Institutions for Pro-Poor Growth (IPPG) summarizes findings from a broad range of research projects on institutions writ large (state-business relations, land reform, contract labour, contract farming, territorial development etc.).

Key findings include the following:

• While it is true that 'institutions matter', individuals and organizations matter too, for it is they who forge, maintain, implement and change institutions.
• It follows that for donors to encourage legitimate and effective institutions which sustain a stable and inclusive environment for growth and poverty reduction, they will need to:
  • Think beyond institutional design and form.
  • Recognise the importance of the distinction and interaction between institutions and organisations and embed this in policy and operational thinking.
  • Learn how to 'think politically' and to 'work politically'; and in particular how to help build up the players – especially the economic, social and political organizations -which will both shape and make institutions work.
  • Get smarter at identifying and understanding stakeholder interests and their relationships, and in discriminating between the developmental, the collusive and the predatory.
  • Appreciate that recognising where the obstacles are, and devising strategies to negotiate them, requires deep knowledge and understanding.