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Intermediaries, isomorphic activism and programming for social accountability in Pakistan

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  • Tom Kirk

Abstract

Using ethnographic research from Pakistan, this paper argues that social accountability programmes that overlook the role of intermediaries in clientelistic states risk undermining the wider democratising projects they seek to support. It proposes a theory of ‘isomorphic activism’ that describes how these public authorities appropriate others' opportunities to participate in politics and, in the process, undermine democratic norms. Isomorphic activism is shown to be more likely when programmes are based on ideals of civil society that render activism a technical exercise, depoliticise it and blind donors to power inequalities. The challenges the paper highlights are important given calls for development programmes to change by whom and how politics is done, whilst granting local ownership to participants and demonstrating value for money. They should also be of interest to those concerned by the spread of reductive views of civil society activism within donor organisations.

Suggested Citation

  • Tom Kirk, 2024. "Intermediaries, isomorphic activism and programming for social accountability in Pakistan," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 15(S4), pages 60-70, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:glopol:v:15:y:2024:i:s4:p:60-70
    DOI: 10.1111/1758-5899.13218
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Lewis, 2017. "Organising and Representing the Poor in a Clientelistic Democracy: the Decline of Radical NGOs in Bangladesh," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(10), pages 1545-1567, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. William D. Ferguson, 2024. "Power and public authority," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 15(S4), pages 11-23, July.
    2. Anuradha Joshi & Colin Anderson & Katrina Barnes & Egidio Chaimite & Miguel Loureiro & Alex Shankland, 2024. "Local governance networks as public authority: Insights from Mozambique, Myanmar and Pakistan," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 15(S4), pages 48-59, July.
    3. Tom Kirk & Rose Pinnington, 2024. "Introduction: Development practice, power and public authority," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 15(S4), pages 5-10, July.

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