From dysfunctional to functional corruption: The politics of reform in Lebanon’s electricity sector
In Lebanon, the electricity sector’s dysfunction and inefficiency mask deeper political economy challenges, including rampant rent-seeking, captured institutions and a fractured state. Over decades, corruption and mismanagement in Lebanon’s electricity sector has contributed to the draining of public finances and has deprived the Lebanese people of their right to reliable and affordable electricity.
Amidst the poor general state of the sector, one area of Lebanon has managed to operate a private utility that provides a reliable and high-quality electricity service – Électricité de Zahlé (EDZ). Our study explores how it has been possible to establish EDZ’s functional, but problematic, service provision within the complex sectarian political context of Lebanon. We draw existing development and political economy literature to understand the rents and types of corruption in the sector and how the changes implemented by EDZ have been consistent with the nature of Lebanon’s political settlement.
Working politically in practice: lessons from Nigeria
This is the second event in a series of three webinars sharing lessons emerging from research led by LEAP on the PERL programme in Nigeria.
This event, co-convened with the Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) Community of Practice, explores how donor-supported efforts to promote governance reform can work in ways that are politically smart and anchored in learning and adaptation.
Twenty years of UK governance programmes in Nigeria - full report
Laure-Hélène Piron and Gareth Williams, TPP Directors, as part of the Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), have co-authored this flagship report analysing 20 years of governance programmes in Nigeria funded by the British Government.
Queuing for petrol in Bath and Beirut - blog by Dr. Neil McCulloch
This blog from TPP Director, Dr Neil McCulloch, looks at the fuel crisis in Lebanon and in the UK and discusses the underlying political economy causes of both.