PASGR Course Outline

an introduction to contemporary political economy analysis

a four-day workshop for political actors

PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICAN SOCIAL &GOVERNANCE RESEARCH

01

Are you concerned about the lack of availability of generic HIV drugs in your country, and why apparently nothing is being done about it? Are you worried about environmental collapse in an ecologically fragile district you have visited, and wonder how it can be prevented?

Do you want to know why despite an oďŹƒcial commitment to free education, children still have to pay fees to their teachers? Or are you asking why it is that donor-supported public administration reform programmes seem never to achieve much in your country?

All of these questions and more can be addressed using political economy analysis (PEA), and it is for this reason that the approach has been gaining strength in academic and policy-oriented research, and is increasingly being promoted as a tool to improve public policy and programming.

This course provides participants an introduction to contemporary political economy analysis (PEA), and to the research methods that can help you practise it.

02

Module Objectives: At the end of the course, participants will be expected to: To familiarize trainees with some key PEA approaches To introduce participants to the core components of the research design process and its applicability to studies on political economy To provide participants with hands-on knowledge and skills in causal analysis, concept formation and the use of typology in political economy research To demonstrate some of the strengths and weaknesses of PEA and public policy analysis To provide practical experience or simulation of using PEA analysis

Learning outcomes By the end of the course, dedicated participants should be able to: Distinguish between dierent PEA approaches and their dierent strengths and weaknesses Deploy causal analysis, concept formation and typological theory relevant for improving research design Craft robust research proposals based on these approaches Utilize these approaches

I&M Building, 6th Floor 2nd Ngong Avenue, Upper Hill P.O. Box 76418-00508 Nairobi, Kenya +254 (0)20 2985 000 +254 (0) 731000065 info@pasgr.org

PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICAN SOCIAL &GOVERNANCE RESEARCH