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Democratisation and the Political Incentives for Agricultural Policy in Africa

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  • Colin Poulton

Abstract

type="main"> In theory, democratisation, which has proceeded unevenly across Africa during the past two decades, should encourage pro-poor agricultural policy, as the majority of voters in many countries remain rural and poor. This article draws on case studies of recent policy change in six African countries, plus a review of the literature on political competition and voting behaviour, to explore the evolving role of competitive electoral politics in agricultural policy-making. It finds that democratic pressures for pro-poor agricultural policy remain weak, which may help explain the limited delivery thus far on commitments to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). However, exogenous factors – most strikingly, sustained threats to regime survival – can create positive incentives for agricultural investment. The implications for participants in agricultural policy processes are explored.

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  • Colin Poulton, 2014. "Democratisation and the Political Incentives for Agricultural Policy in Africa," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 32(s2), pages 101-122, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:devpol:v:32:y:2014:i:s2:p:s101-s122
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    2. Simplice Asongu & Jacinta C. Nwachukwu & Gilbert A. A. Aminkeng, 2018. "Lessons from a Survey of China’s Economic Diplomacy," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 18/009, African Governance and Development Institute..
    3. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2021. "Income Levels, Governance and Inclusive Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(1), pages 71-103, February.
    4. Asongu, Simplice & Nwachukwu, Jacinta C. & Aminkeng, Gilbert A. A, 2014. "China’s Strategies in Economic Diplomacy: A Survey of Updated Lessons for Africa, the West and China," MPRA Paper 65304, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Mengistu, T.W., 2018. "Institutional arrangements and governance challenges in regulating seed quality in Ethiopia," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 276018, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    6. Sparrow, Ashley D. & Traoré, Adama, 2018. "Limits to the applicability of the innovation platform approach for agricultural development in West Africa: Socio-economic factors constrain stakeholder engagement and confidence," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 335-343.
    7. Simplice A. Asongu & Jacinta C. Nwachukwu & Gilbert A. A. Aminkeng, 2014. "China’s Strategies in Economic Diplomacy: A Survey of Updated Lessons for Africa, the West and China," Research Africa Network Working Papers 14/036, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    8. Léopold Ghins & Alban Mas Aparisi & Jean Balié, 2017. "Myths and realities about input subsidies in sub-Saharan Africa," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 35, pages 214-233, October.
    9. Jie Lv & Lu Huang & Xiaoting Li, 2022. "Does the Creation of Food Safety Demonstration Cities Promote Agricultural Development? Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-18, December.
    10. Resnick, Danielle & Haggblade, Steven & Babu, Suresh & Hendriks, Sheryl L. & Mather, David, 2018. "The Kaleidoscope Model of policy change: Applications to food security policy in Zambia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 101-120.
    11. Robert Darko Osei & Richmond Atta-Ankomah & Monica P. Lambon-Quayefio, 2020. "Structural transformation and inclusive growth in Ghana," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2020-37, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    12. Anderson, J. & Birner, R. & Naseem, A. & Pray, C., 2018. "Promoting the Agricultural Transformation in Africa: How to Create Sufficient Political Will?," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 275988, International Association of Agricultural Economists.

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