When does politics work for development?

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. ...

Female empowerment and the Egyptian Arab Spring

Women’s exposure and participation in the Arab Spring improved their say in household decisions and reduced tolerance of domestic violence and FGM...

Judicial efficiency and firm productivity: Evidence from a world database of judicial reforms

Judicial reforms funded by foreign agencies increase firm productivity, but only in specific sectors where contract enforcement is more important...

Information is power: Evidence from Mexico City’s Labour Court

Providing personalised information on predicted case outcomes to parties in ongoing cases improved court efficiency and achieved better settlements...

Who debates, who wins? Debate participation and electoral outcomes in Liberia

An intervention in Liberia increased electoral debate participation and led citizens to engage more in the election...

Female inheritance: A key to women’s empowerment or another lock on their freedom?

Female inheritance might create unintended consequences for young women’s freedoms due to patriarchal practices designed to retain property within families...