Building State Capability: Evidence, Analysis, Action

Building State Capability: Evidence, Analysis, Action By Matt Andrews, Lant Pritchett and Michael Woolcock Governments play a crucial role in development, introducing reforms and policies to achieve developmental objectives. However, many interventions have limited impact, with plans being written but not implemented, or IT systems introduced without being used. This book addresses the weaknesses in building state capability, providing evidence of existing gaps and analysing the underlying causes. It identifies two key traps that hold governments back: isomorphic mimicry, where they copy best practice solutions from other countries, and premature load bearing, where they adopt new mechanisms without sufficient capacity to implement them. The book then describes a practical process called PDIA (problem-driven iterative adaptation), which empowers people in government to find and fit solutions to their problems. By understanding these traps and the PDIA process, readers can devise policies and reforms that have more impact than previous efforts. This book provides a structured approach to applying tools and ideas to capability challenges, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to improve governance and development outcomes.