State formation and international aid: The emergence of the Palestinian authority

The Future of the Palestinian Authority

“…The PA began working through its institutions as an autonomous authority in Gaza and Jericho City in 1994, after the signing of the Cairo Agreement. Administrative authorities were transferred to this Authority in most of the West Bank cities, in accordance with the Second Oslo Agreement in 1995, to develop an administrative system and to deliver public services to the Palestinian people, especially in the areas of health, education and the judiciary (Frisch & Hofnung, 1997). The peace agreements allowed the PA to assume management responsibility for the areas under its control.…”

Fostering civil society to build institutions Why and when1

“…civil society is both the force that can hold the governments accountable and the base upon which a truly democratic political culture can be built. There follows from this assumption the related idea that promoting civil society development is key to democracy‐building.’ Similarly, it is frequently claimed that civil society influences the process of institution‐building and that fostering civil society per se should promote adoption of institutional best‐practice (Carothers, 2004; Frisch and Hofnung, 1997; Howell and Pearce, 2001; and Van Rooy, 1998). ‘In the political domain, civil‐society development is deemed crucial to stimulating the public pressure and participation necessary to force poorly functioning state institutions to become more responsive and accountable’ (Carothers, 2004).…”

“…Advocates see civil society organizations as bringing citizens’ concerns to broader public attention, thereby counteracting narrow interests, which can be especially problematic when institutions function poorly (Edwards, 2004; Rosenblum and Post, 2001). 2 Accordingly, fostering civil society through foreign aid is seen as a means of promoting institutional development, with the hope that the improved institutions will later enhance the effectiveness of aid where past efforts have been disappointing (Dollar and Pritchett, 1998, p. 58; Frisch and Hofnung, 1997; Howell and Pearce, 2001; Knack, 2001, p. 327; Ottaway and Carothers, 2000b; Van Rooy, 1998). 3 Yet in practice, this quest has proven elusive, raising doubts about whether fostering civil society is worth the money (Carothers, 2004; Robinson and Friedman, 2005) and calling for ‘contextualized political and social analyses that can properly inform donor interventions’ (Howell and Pearce, 2001, p. 235).…”

Fostering Civil Society to Build Institutions: Why and When

“…Greater involvement of civil society is frequently viewed as crucial in attaining development goals. 2 Accordingly, fostering civil society through foreign aid is seen as a means of promoting institutional development, with the hope that the improved institutions will later enhance the effectiveness of aid where past efforts have been disappointing (Dollar and Pritchett, 1998, p. 58;Frisch and Hofnung, 1997;Howell and Pearce, 2001;Knack, 2001, p. 327;Ottaway and Carothers, 2000b;Van Rooy, 1998). 2 Accordingly, fostering civil society through foreign aid is seen as a means of promoting institutional development, with the hope that the improved institutions will later enhance the effectiveness of aid where past efforts have been disappointing (Dollar and Pritchett, 1998, p. 58;Frisch and Hofnung, 1997;Howell and Pearce, 2001;Knack, 2001, p. 327;Ottaway and Carothers, 2000b;Van Rooy, 1998).…”

“…Advocates see civil society organizations as bringing citizens' concerns to broader public attention, thereby counteracting narrow interests, which can be especially problematic when institutions function poorly (Edwards, 2004;Rosenblum and Post, 2001). 2 Accordingly, fostering civil society through foreign aid is seen as a means of promoting institutional development, with the hope that the improved institutions will later enhance the effectiveness of aid where past efforts have been disappointing (Dollar and Pritchett, 1998, p. 58;Frisch and Hofnung, 1997;Howell and Pearce, 2001;Knack, 2001, p. 327;Ottaway and Carothers, 2000b;Van Rooy, 1998). 3 Yet in practice, this quest has proven elusive, raising doubts about whether fostering civil society is worth the money (Carothers, 2004;Robinson and Friedman, 2005) and calling for 'contextualized political and social analyses that can properly inform donor interventions' (Howell and Pearce, 2001, p. 235).…”