Explaining institutional change in Nepal and El Salvador: A cultural political economy approach to political settlements analysis - Cummings (2024)

Understanding progressive institutional change remains a central concern in development studies. This paper examines
two such cases: constitutional change in Nepal, which broadened political rights, and the outlawing of metal mining
in El Salvador, which redistributed resources. To understand institutional change, this paper proposes a cultural
political economy approach to Khan's ‘political settlements analysis’. Applying the proposed approach to these cases
demonstrates how political movements organise around beliefs and identities as well as interests to achieve rights
and status, not just material gain. Identifying cultural as well as material sources of power allows a fuller explanation of
institutional change processes.