Policy Capacity in the Global South: Beyond Deficit Models

This panel aims to engage in a thoughtful exploration of policy capacity in the Global South, moving beyond traditional deficit-based interpretations. We warmly invite papers that delve into the ways in which analytical, operational, and political capacities are fostered, distributed, and sustained across individual, organizational, and systemic levels. Key themes of interest include the interplay of formal and informal institutions, the roles of state and non-state actors, decentralization, donor relationships, colonial legacies, and community or Indigenous governance. We welcome contributions that investigate capacity building, erosion, and compensation across various sectors and over time. The panel seeks research that draws upon experiences from the Global South to enhance our understanding of concepts, elucidate causal mechanisms, and develop theoretical frameworks, rather than merely applying existing models from other contexts. We also encourage South-South and cross-regional comparisons to enrich our discussions and findings.