During this week’s session, taken by Dr Carolyn Peiffer, we examined three broad typologies of corruption within academic literature: specifically principle-agent view, collective action view and a functional view. This session highlighted the normative complexities behind different definitions of corruption. Though an important and interesting discussion, I don’t wish to focus on that aspect in … Continue reading Development Politics Blog #4: When corruption services society
This week’s session involved addressing causes of legitimacy and assessing the received wisdom that a) service delivery instrumentally enhances state legitimacy and b) inversely, weak institutions and a lack of service delivery can cause a state to lose legitimacy. Mc Loughlin's historical case study of the provision of Higher education in Sri Lanka between 1956-1974 demonstrated … Continue reading Development Politics Blog #3: But who cares about what you think? Service delivery and state legitimacy
This week’s session examined the apparently counter-intuitive concept of illiberal democracy using the case study of illiberal democracy in post-conflict Angola. The first half of the session focused on a discussion of the concepts of liberalism, illiberalism, democracy, autocracy and various combinations of the different terms. This session provided the perfect opportunity to explore my … Continue reading Development Politics Blog #2: So you think you’re (Il)liberal?
This week’s session, facilitated by Dr Suda Perera, explored political engagement with Non State Actors (NSAs), looking particularly at state building in a post-conflict context with the case study example of armed former militants in the post-conflict DRC. A key message from the lecture and some of Dr Perera’s research was the argument that truly … Continue reading Development Politics Blog #1: ‘Victimiser or Victim?’ Engagement with non-state actors in post-conflict DRC
Game Changer (noun): An event, idea, or procedure that effects a significant shift in the current way of doing or thinking about something.* An old African proverb says that it takes a village to raise a child. I have long maintained that my case is no different. Reflecting on the person that I have become … Continue reading People who changed the game: Aunty Grace
You “won’t get dirty”- yet you roll around in mud Now you’re reaping the harvest that you sowed with seeds of blood. The terror rooted in pride and ego, from which they received no repose That “as you live by the sword, you’ll die by the sword” was lost on you, I suppose. But it’s … Continue reading O.T.W.W.
I have a voice and it too speaks. I have a call that can cause great waves and winds of change Imbued with a power that is not my own. But on which I rely and will eternally lean on. And powerful over minds and hearts it will be But directing attention and Glory not … Continue reading Inspired by the G.O.A.T
A sombre mood descends The great Madiba is gone A time for quietness and reflection On the legacy that will carry on One man, one single soul Able to change the world in whole A struggle for justice, for what is right Took flight and forever a world is transformed Fulfilling his purpose, answering the … Continue reading Death of an Icon- A Tribute to Nelson Mandela
And the vent of anger of frustration Was not able to escape So that it clouded my judgement I was unable to take in New knowledge All my own thoughts suppressed All my own knowledge forgotten I had felt safe Because I was in my own little haven Fear was without, inspiration within It … Continue reading Solitude
The #BringBackOurGirls campaign is fantastic in that it has raised awareness and stirred the international community in support of the efforts to locate the girls who were abducted in Chibok while in the midst of taking their exams. However I think it’s important also to appreciate the complexity of this incident and the issues involved … Continue reading #BringBackOurGirls…then what?
The Narrator's Pen 