Political Space, Pro-Poor Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy in Honduras

This paper assesses the political and socio-economic consequences of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) in Honduras. The analysis uses several techniques (poverty narratives, stakeholder analysis and taxonomy analysis) and quantitative and qualitative data (socioeconomic indicators, PRS spending execution and interviews with stakeholders). It argues that the PRS constitutes a missed opportunity to widen further the political space in which poverty reduction is formulated and to deliver pro-poor growth. The inclusion of multiple actors with different interests, capacities and influence led to a consensus too imprecise to articulate a set of priorities, left alone a pro-poor growth agenda. Recently, by shifting unilaterally the growth pillar of the PRS towards infrastructure investments and trade integration, Honduras may have lost yet another opportunity to support a truly participatory democracy.