SUPPORTING A RISING AFRICA: THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS IN EMERGING DEMOCRACIES

Transcription

1 SUPPORTING A RISING AFRICA: THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS IN EMERGING DEMOCRACIES Malcolm Russell-Einhorn Research Professor, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy Director, Center for International Development University at Albany Presidential Inauguration Celebration September 25, 2013

2 REMARKABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH GDP Growth (Not Only Oil Producers) Export Growth Growing Diversification Growing Foreign Direct Investment Sources: African Statistical Yearbook (2010) from Afrographique

3 PROGRESS ON OTHER FRONTS Health: HIV, Malaria, Infant Mortality Education: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Technology: Internet, Mobile Phones, Mobile Finance

4 CHEETAHS VS. HIPPOS; CHANGING NORMS Spreading Fresh Ideas Using Advanced Technology Bringing Entrepreneurial Energy Wielding Growing Consumer Power Fighting for Better Government

5 AFRICAN DEMOCRATIZATION: ACCELERATION IN SOME COUNTRIES Average Aggregated Democracy Scores: Free and Partly Free Sub-Saharan Countries Average Democracy Score Sources: World Bank, Freedom House "Anocracies": scored between -5 and +5 Democracies: scored between +6 and +10

6 DEMOCRATIZATION MATTERS FOR ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE African Regime Type and Economic Performance, Excluding Conflict States (% growth in real GDP per capita in constant US$2000) 3 2 Autocracies Electoral Democracies Democracies -2-3 T-3 T+2 Years 3-5 Years or Source: P. Lewis (2012) latest

7 DEMOCRATIZATION MATTERS FOR POVERTY REDUCTION Regimes and Poverty in Africa: Poverty Headcount Ratio (Population < $1.25 /day) 65 Percentage of Population Autocracies Electoral Democracies Democracies Source: P. Lewis (2012)

8 WHAT DO PARLIAMENTS DO? Represent Diverse Societal Viewpoints Debate and Pass Legislation Review Budget and Conduct Oversight Provide Constituency Services

9 CID & AFRICAN PARLIAMENTS Projects in 12 Countries since 1992 Superior Staff; Distinguished Alumni & Policy Networks Training: for staff, members, committees, technical units Technical Assistance: on budget & policy analysis, rules reform, e- governance, public outreach, and links to local experts Former CID Kenya Chief of Party Fred Matiangi and Former KNA Speaker Kenneth Marende

10 KENYA S PARLIAMENT: STRONG INGREDIENTS FOR REFORM Influential impact of Kenyan civil society and media Commitment to strong oversight and budget review Parliamentary Service Commission and functional independence Substantial MP and staff salaries Standing orders reform

11 AN INCREASINGLY INFORMED KENYAN PARLIAMENT: Portfolio Committees: grew from 0 to 24 Analytical Capacity: research and budget units established Qualified Professional Staff: doubling of staff; use of interns Education: percentage of MPs having a university degree rose from 38% to 61% Sources: Barkan (2010); CID Kenya Parliamentary Support Project

12 INCREASED LEGISLATIVE OUTPUT 40 Major Legislation Passed by Kenyan National Assembly Source: SUNY/CID Kenya Parliamentary Support Project

13 INCREASING LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE Private Member Bills Passed by the KNA: Source: SUNY/CID Kenya Parliamentary Support Project

14 PARLIAMENTARY OPENNESS No. of Formal Consultations/Interactions Between Committees* and CSOs in the KNA *Includes climate change and women s issue caucuses. Source: SUNY/CID Kenya Parliamentary Support Project

15 FROM RUBBER STAMP TO TRANSFORMATI0NAL LEGISLATURE: PARLIAMENT'S IMPACT ON KENYAN SOCIETY Constitutional Reform: addressing root causes of conflict & inequality Oversight: improving accountability & reducing corruption Supporting Progressive Laws and Budget Allocations: improvem ents in women's health, food security, education, and climate change Opening up the Budget Process

16 CITIZEN TRUST IN SELECTED AFRICAN PARLIAMENTS 2003 vs ,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2, Not at all Just a little Somewhat A lot Missing; Unknown Source: Afrobarometer Don t know; haven t heard enough

17 THE FUTURE OF PARLIAMENTS IN AFRICA S EMERGING DEMOCRACIES Kenya: a unique case? A practical inspiration to others? Significance of economic, political, and social transitions: macro and micro Significance of the representation gap: opportunities and openings

18 SUPPORTING A RISING AFRICA: THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS IN EMERGING DEMOCRACIES Malcolm Russell-Einhorn Research Professor, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy Director, Center for International Development University at Albany Presidential Inauguration Celebration September 25, 2013