Overview

This book examines why political behaviour in developing countries so often deviates from outsiders' expectations--and not for the reasons you might think. Analysis of developing countries tends to be preoccupied with the seedier aspects of politics, finding explanations for lack of progress in vote-buying, clientelism and naked self-interest. But this ignores the question of why politicians, as people, do what they do. Drawing on the experiences of hundreds of MPs in some of the world's most complex environments, Greg Power explores their personal motivations and daily pressures in filling the gaps left by failing states. In countries as diverse as Iraq, Nepal, Ukraine and Tanzania, he shows how institutions work within highly informal political cultures, driven by public expectations, social norms, reciprocity and altruism. He reveals that development is determined as much by MPs' foibles and preferences as by the wider battle for power. Combining insights from political science, behavioural economics and business management, Power argues for a more human approach to political reform — one that starts with individuals, not institutions. His fascinating book shines new light on how politics works from the inside, and why the human element is central to making change happen where it really matters.

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9781805260516

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Reviews

‘Beautifully observed, elegantly written, wry, understated and thoughtful.’ -- Rory Stewart ‘A fascinating insider’s perspective on geopolitics, global diplomacy, problem solving and conflict resolution—and how radically different it seems viewed from the outside.’ -- Peter Hain, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland ‘In lively prose enriched with compelling real-life examples, Power builds a persuasive case ... His insights about what politics look like from the inside rather than the outside point the way forward to better understanding—and better action.’ -- Thomas Carothers, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

‘Beautifully observed, elegantly written, wry, understated and thoughtful.’ -- Rory Stewart ‘A fascinating insider’s perspective on geopolitics, global diplomacy, problem solving and conflict resolution—and how radically different it seems viewed from the outside.’ -- Peter Hain, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland ‘In lively prose enriched with compelling real-life examples, Power builds a persuasive case ... His insights about what politics look like from the inside rather than the outside point the way forward to better understanding—and better action.’ -- Thomas Carothers, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 'Behavioural meets political science - and what a fascinating and important collision. Greg Power unpacks the deep logic of the personal and political to make sense of the world's strangest, most criticized and most important profession.' -- David Halpern, author of Inside the Nudge Unit and President of Behavioural Insights Team

‘Beautifully observed, elegantly written, wry, understated and thoughtful.’ -- Rory Stewart 'An intriguing and scholarly work... its key concept is to start with real motivations and behaviour, not something that looks good on paper.' -- Financial Times '[An] insightful book on behaviour and political reform.' -- The Guardian ‘A fascinating insider’s perspective on geopolitics, global diplomacy, problem solving and conflict resolution—and how radically different it seems viewed from the outside.’ -- Peter Hain, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland ‘In lively prose enriched with compelling real-life examples, Power builds a persuasive case ... His insights about what politics look like from the inside rather than the outside point the way forward to better understanding—and better action.’ -- Thomas Carothers, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 'Behavioural meets political science - and what a fascinating and important collision. Greg Power unpacks the deep logic of the personal and political to make sense of the world's strangest, most criticized and most important profession.' -- David Halpern, author of Inside the Nudge Unit and President of Behavioural Insights Team ‘Fun to read and full of amazing stories about the “odd” behaviour of politicians in developing countries. Politicians everywhere and those who try to understand them will enjoy and learn much from this book.’ -- Mushtaq Khan, Professor of Economics, SOAS University of London

Author Information

Greg Power OBE, previously a special adviser to UK Ministers Robin Cook and Peter Hain, has been involved in constitutional and democratic change since the mid-1990s. Since 2005, his organisation, Global Partners Governance Practice, has helped to strengthen political systems across Asia, the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe.

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