Evidence from India and Pakistan shows that harnessing district officials’ local pollution incentives reduces crop fires by up to 14.5% and deters burns by a further 13%, significantly lowering infant and child mortality.

Despite fears that devolving control over forest resources to local communities may accelerate deforestation and worsen the climate crisis, the large-scale transfer of political power to India’s historically marginalised Scheduled Tribes significantl...

Emphasising the ability to support and assist one’s community through elected office encouraged ordinary citizens to run for office in Pakistan which improved subsequent policy outcomes

Politics and patronage exacerbate public sector absenteeism, limiting the efficacy of reform measures

Political interference in the bureaucracy is generally viewed with suspicion. However, in India bureaucrats implement MNREGA much better in places where politicians are able to claim credit for improvements.

Smartphone monitoring streamlined information flows and improved inspection rates at public clinics across Punjab