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Risk navigation for Thinking and Working Politically: The work and disappearance of Sombath Somphone

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  • Kearrin Sims

Abstract

Motivation On December 15, 2012 Sombath Somphone was abducted at a police checkpoint in his home city of Vientiane, the capital of Laos; his whereabouts remain unknown. This article considers his work and disappearance through the lens of Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) approaches to development. The article is supportive of TWP, but emphasizes the significant risks of politicized programming in authoritarian contexts. Purpose By examining the case of Sombath Somphone, the article seeks to offer insights for safer, and more effective, TWP programming. It considers how specific events in authoritarian contexts can suddenly reposition development workers and/or organizations as political dissidents. Approaches and Methods The argument draws on analysis of grey literature; conversational and observational knowledge accrued during 18 months of fieldwork in Laos between 2011 and 2018; on‐going formal and informal interviews with members of Laos’ civil society sector; and extensive dialogue with Sombath Somphone’s wife, Ng Shui Meng. Findings The article identifies four key factors that contributed to the enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone: international exposure; timing; particular elites; and strategies of oppression. It highlights the need for further consideration of how to anticipate and mitigate the dangers of politically oriented development work, as well as the different forms of risk experienced by local and international development actors working in authoritarian contexts. Policy Implications TWP has much to offer to development practice, but its contributions should not threaten the safety of local development actors. More attention must be given to preventing and mitigating such risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Kearrin Sims, 2021. "Risk navigation for Thinking and Working Politically: The work and disappearance of Sombath Somphone," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 39(4), pages 604-620, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:devpol:v:39:y:2021:i:4:p:604-620
    DOI: 10.1111/dpr.12527
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sen, Amartya, 2001. "Development as Freedom," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192893307.
    2. Elisa Lopez Lucia & Joanna Buckley & Heather Marquette & Neil McCulloch, 2019. "Lessons from Nigeria for improved thinking and working politically in the extractives sector," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 37(S1), pages 16-32, June.
    3. Neil McCulloch & Laure‐Hélène Piron, 2019. "Thinking and Working Politically: Learning from practice. Overview to Special Issue," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 37(S1), pages 1-15, June.
    4. Tom Harrison & Genia Kostka, 2019. "Bureaucratic manoeuvres and the local politics of climate change mitigation in China and India," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 37(S1), pages 68-84, June.
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