Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

submittedVersion

Publication Date

5-2017

Abstract

Why does a state build institutional capacity in certain sectors rather than others? Despite having gained leverage explaining the emergence of institutions in the developmental states of East Asia, we have comparatively weak accounts for sub‐national variation in institutional strength, a much more common phenomenon. Investigating the surprising achievements of the Philippines’ National Irrigation Administration, this article advances a theory of sectoral success in the face of a generally poor developmental record. The author demonstrates that executives will only construct institutional capacity when facing strong political pressure combined with resource scarcity. Such vulnerability permits politicians to exercise discretion in choosing which policies to pursue, allowing them to avoid upsetting their coalitions. Once a politician achieves some degree of policy success, he or she is then able to avoid engaging in similar reforms in other fields. Thus we see pockets of institutional capacity in states that otherwise struggle with developmental tasks.

Keywords

Development, Institutional Capacity, Policy Reform, Philippines, Irrigation

Discipline

Asian Studies | Political Science | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Research Areas

Political Science

Publication

Development and Change

Volume

48

Issue

3

First Page

567

Last Page

589

ISSN

1467-7660

Identifier

10.1111/dech.12300

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Copyright Owner and License

Author

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1111/dech.12300

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