Open AccessThe influence of development research: the significance of research consensus and policy polarization
Author(s) -
Anne Mette Kjær
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
politica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2246-042X
pISSN - 0105-0710
DOI - 10.7146/politica.v51i3.131168
Subject(s) - political science , polarization (electrochemistry) , danish , aid effectiveness , politics , research development , research policy , policy development , public administration , economic growth , economics , developing country , law , paleontology , philosophy , linguistics , chemistry , test (biology) , biology
There is a long tradition for close exchange between research and practice in the international development community. However, we know very little about the circumstances under which research really has an impact on development practice. This article examines how the degree of research consensus and policy polarization matters. Drawing on evidence from English and Danish aid, I study two cases in the form of two fields of research; research on political economy analysis and research on aid effectiveness. The case studies show that a broad research consensus and a low degree of polarization promote influence. However, this does not necessarily mean that research will also have an influence on the implementation of a development program.