The Asia Foundation

Occasional Paper No. 2, July 2010

The processes of development are fundamentally shaped by powerful political, economic, and security actors in aid-recipient countries. These actors use their influence to shape formal governance...

Occasional Paper No. 2, July 2010

The processes of development are fundamentally shaped by powerful political, economic, and security actors in aid-recipient countries. These actors use their influence to shape formal governance institutions, policies, and the distribution of development assistance to advance their interests. The political settlements framework is an important new approach that may help international development organizations to better understand and respond to this reality and the challenges to developmental progress that is often affected by political dynamics in developing countries. This paper seeks to translate the concepts underlying political settlements into principles, strategies, and guidelines for practical action by donors and other development assistance organizations.

Thomas Parks, Regional Director for Governance and Conflict, The Asia Foundation
William Cole, Senior Director, Governance, Law, and Civil Society Programs & Program Strategy and Development, The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation is working with the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD) and other Afghan partners to strengthen the ability of the Ministry to more effectively enforce the new Afghan Labor Law and to...

The Asia Foundation is working with the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD) and other Afghan partners to strengthen the ability of the Ministry to more effectively enforce the new Afghan Labor Law and to increase the understanding and awareness of the new law and other internationally recognized core labor standards among members of the judiciary, workers, employers, and the general public of Afghanistan.

The women of Afghanistan face a number of daunting social and humanitarian challenges. Two of the most pressing are the inability to participate fully in all aspects of Afghan society and the lack of access to education. The Asia...

The women of Afghanistan face a number of daunting social and humanitarian challenges. Two of the most pressing are the inability to participate fully in all aspects of Afghan society and the lack of access to education. The Asia Foundation supports the Ministry of Women’s Affairs Initiative to Support Policy and Advocacy (MISPA). MISPA is committed to strengthening the Ministry’s skills in leadership, communication, outreach, and networking among staff at the national level as well at the provincial level through the 34 local offices.

The Asia Foundation maintains elections programs, including monitor and voter education, in nine countries in Asia. In recent years, the Foundation has implemented significant elections programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh,...

The Asia Foundation maintains elections programs, including monitor and voter education, in nine countries in Asia. In recent years, the Foundation has implemented significant elections programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Timor-Leste.

The Asia Foundation maintains elections programs, including monitor and voter education, in nine countries in Asia. In recent years, the Foundation has implemented significant elections programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia,...

The Asia Foundation maintains elections programs, including monitor and voter education, in nine countries in Asia. In recent years, the Foundation has implemented significant elections programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Timor-Leste.

The findings from The Asia Foundation's fourth public opinion poll in Afghanistan, "Afghanistan in 2008: A Survey of the Afghan People" which covers the largest population sample ever surveyed at one time in all 34 of Afghanistan's provinces....

The findings from The Asia Foundation's fourth public opinion poll in Afghanistan, "Afghanistan in 2008: A Survey of the Afghan People" which covers the largest population sample ever surveyed at one time in all 34 of Afghanistan's provinces. A democracy assessment survey.