Understanding Influence

The Use of Statebuilding Research in British Policy

Thomas Waldman, Sultan Barakat, Andrea Varisco

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English

Routledge
25 September 2014

Peace studies & conflict resolution; Regional government policies; Theory of warfare & military science

The overarching objective of this book is to analyse the manner in which statebuilding-oriented research has and can influence policies in fragile, post-conflict environments. Large-scale, externally-assisted statebuilding is a relatively new and distinct foreign policy domain having risen to the forefront of the international agenda as the negative consequences of state weakness have been repeatedly revealed in the form of entrenched poverty, regional instability and serious threats to international security. Despite the increasing volume of research on statebuilding, the use and uptake of findings by those involved in policymaking remains largely under-examined. As such, the main themes running through the book relate to issues of research influence, use and uptake into policy. It grapples with problems associated with decision-making dynamics, knowledge management and the policy process and draws on concepts and analytical models developed within the public policy and research utilisation literature. This book will be of great interest to researchers, knowledge managers and policymakers working in the fields of post-war reconstruction, statebuilding, fragile states, stabilisation, conflict and development.

By: Thomas Waldman, Sultan Barakat, Andrea Varisco
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: New edition
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
Weight: 635g
ISBN: 9781472427571
ISBN 10: 1472427572
Pages: 280
Publication Date: 25 September 2014
Audience: College/higher education , General/trade , Primary , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction. Part I Background: Fixing fragility: statebuilding in international perspective; The quiet revolution: approaches to research management; Brick by brick: the evolution of British statebuilding policy and research use. Part II Analysis: Quantitative findings; Elite evidence: a case study on political settlements research use; Grounded theory: the dynamics of research use in Afghanistan, Nepal and Sierra Leone; Retracing our steps: backward tracking research in British security sector reform policy in Sierra Leone. Part III Synthesis: Dimensions of influence and uptake; Cumulative influence; Conclusion. Annexes; Bibliography; Index.

Thomas Waldman is ESRC Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Post-war Recovery at the Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit (PRDU), University of York. Sultan Barakat is Professor of Politics and founding Director of the Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit (PRDU), University of York. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Doha. Andrea Varisco is a PhD candidate based at the Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit (PRDU), University of York. His doctoral thesis focuses on the influence of research on British-led security sector reform in Sierra Leone.

Reviews for Understanding Influence: The Use of Statebuilding Research in British Policy

'The mixed record of statebuilding over the past decade has generated a clamour for evidence on what works best. Ironically, there has been very little evidence on whether evidence is actually used in policy making - until now. Rigorously researched, well-written and thoughtfully put together, this impressive book offers insight and analysis on the genesis of policy-making. It will become a must-read for practitioners and researchers alike.'Iain King, Head of Conflict Research, Department for International Development (DFID), UK'This is a very important book because it demonstrates why evidence is not a sufficient criterion for winning the war of ideas in statebuilding. By implication it seeks to reconcile the world of theory and the world of practice to focus more directly on problem-solving rather than problem making. As such it makes a path-breaking contribution to statebuilding research.'Mark Evans, Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, Australia