Working Paper - 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.
TPP facilitation on "Model for tackling Lebanon's electricity crisis" webinar
TPP Director, Neil McCulloch moderated a webinar on “Model for tackling Lebanon’s electricity crisis”. The webinar featured a range of experts discussing alternative approaches which might be adopted to improve the Lebanon’s highly inefficient and unreliable electricity system. This included evidence from TPP’s recent paper on “From dysfunctional to functional corruption: the politics of reform in Lebanon’s electricity sector”. Over 180 people registered for the webinar which was livestreamed on Facebook and is available from the Youtube channel of the American University of Beirut here.
New Political Economy Analysis in Action training course launched in partnership with ODI
This latest course will equip advisers and programme managers with the tools and the confidence to undertake a political economy analysis, and to apply it to policy and programmes in a wide range of contexts. It will cover ten sessions over a seventeen-week period, requiring about 3-4 hours of study per week (with a mix of self-study, group work and webinars, supported by an inter-active platform).
Please email training@thepolicypractice.com for more information or see the flyer attached.
FCDO governance programming in Nigeria: What difference has thinking and working politically made in practice?
The UK’s engagements in Nigeria are a showcase for the gradual integration of a thinking and working politically (TWP) approach into development practice. This new Working Paper from the Policy Practice provides an overview of these nearly two decades of TWP mainstreaming - both successes and failures.