Citizenship and Governance

Not all people have the status of citizenship in a country, particularly a developing country, and those that have citizen status are rarely equal. The theme explores the ways that an individual’s citizen status determines her ability to influence local government decision-making, to secure efficient and equitable service delivery, to access government programmes, to enjoy justice and security. Such an exploration of local governance also addresses the democratic condition of the country.

Research into the citizen – government relationship is taken up from a number of standpoints including empowerment and rights based approaches, the role of taxation, participatory versus representative democracy, and through the analysis of the role and impact of different organisations on governance ranging from self-help groups and NGOs, through to member based associations and political parties.

Contributing DIIS researchers:

Birgitte Lind Petersen; Esbern Friis-Hansen; Helene Maria Kyed; Lars Buur; Neil Webster; Ole Therkildsen; Peter Alexander Albrecht; Rasmus Hundsbæk.

Contributing programmes and projects:

Citizenship, Political Parties and Democracy in West Bengal; Markets for Peace; Farmer empowerment, transformative learning and social change in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya; Inclusive Citizenship and Social Accountability; Poverty reduction through a new agenda for agriculture in Africa: policy change and its impact in Soroti district, Uganda; Production of citizens through formal schooling: youth experiences and aspirations in rural Nepal.

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