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South Sudan's Capability Trap: Building a State with Disruptive Innovation

Author

Listed:
  • Greg Larson
  • Peter Biar Ajak
  • Lant Pritchett

Abstract

The prevailing aid orthodoxy works well enough in stable environments, but is ill-equipped to navigate contexts of volatility and fragility. The orthodox approach is adept at solving straightforward technical or logistical problems (paving roads, building schools, immunizing children), but often struggles or outright fails when faced with complex, adaptive challenges (fighting corruption, upholding the rule of law, establishing democratic institutions). South Sudan, the world's newest country, presents a post-conflict environment full of complex, adaptive challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Greg Larson & Peter Biar Ajak & Lant Pritchett, 2013. "South Sudan's Capability Trap: Building a State with Disruptive Innovation," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2013-120, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2013-120
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/WP2013-120.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Canavire-Bacarreza, Gustavo & Nunnenkamp, Peter & Thiele, Rainer & Triveño, Luis, 2005. "Assessing the allocation of aid: Developmental concerns and the self-interest of donors," Kiel Working Papers 1253, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    2. Andrews, Matt & Pritchett, Lant & Woolcock, Michael, 2013. "Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 234-244.
    3. Andrews, Matt & Pritchett, Lant & Woolcock, Michael, 2013. "Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 234-244.
    4. Lant Pritchett & Michael Woolcock & Matt Andrews, 2013. "Looking Like a State: Techniques of Persistent Failure in State Capability for Implementation," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(1), pages 1-18, January.
    5. Pritchett, Lant & Woolcock, Michael, 2004. "Solutions When the Solution is the Problem: Arraying the Disarray in Development," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 191-212, February.
    6. Lant Pritchett & Michael Woolcock & Matt Andrews, 2013. "Looking Like a State: Techniques of Persistent Failure in State Capability for Implementation," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(1), pages 1-18, January.
    7. David Booth, 2011. "Aid, Institutions and Governance: What Have We Learned?," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 29, pages 5-26, January.
    8. repec:unu:wpaper:wp2012-64 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. repec:unu:wpaper:wp2012-63 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. World Bank, 2012. "Republic of South Sudan : Country Integrated Fiduciary Assessment Southern Sudan, Volume 1. Main Report," World Bank Publications - Reports 16072, The World Bank Group.
    11. World Bank, 2010. "Sudan - Strengthening Good Governance for Development Outcomes in Southern Sudan : Issues and Options," World Bank Publications - Reports 2854, The World Bank Group.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. LeRoux-Rutledge, Emily, 2020. "Re-evaluating the “traditional”: How the South Sudanese use established gender narratives to advance women’s equality and empowerment," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    2. Milante Gary & Woolcock Michael, 2017. "New Approaches to Identifying State Fragility," Journal of Globalization and Development, De Gruyter, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, June.
    3. Woolcock, Michael, 2014. "Engaging with fragile and conflict-affected states: An alternative approach to theory, measurement and practice," WIDER Working Paper Series 097, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    4. World Bank, 2017. "Somali Poverty Profile, June 2017," World Bank Publications - Reports 28470, The World Bank Group.
    5. Utz Pape & Nicola Pontara, 2015. "Alternative Social Safety Nets in South Sudan," World Bank Publications - Reports 22499, The World Bank Group.
    6. Michael Woolcock, 2014. "Engaging with Fragile and Conflict-Affected States: An Alternative Approach to Theory, Measurement and Practice," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2014-097, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    7. Andrews, Matt & Pritchett, Lant & Woolcock, Michael, 2017. "Building State Capability: Evidence, Analysis, Action," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198747482.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic development; Industrial organization (Economic theory);

    JEL classification:

    • O2 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy
    • H4 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods
    • K4 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior
    • L3 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise

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