Rising standards for accurately inferring the impact of development projects has not been matched by equivalently rigorous procedures for guiding decisions about whether and how similar results might be expected elsewhere. These .external validity. concer

The coherence and effectiveness of engagement with the world.s .fragile and conflict-affected states..beyond ethical imperatives and geo-strategic considerations.turns on answers to two vexing questions. First, on what defensible basis is any given countr

In many nations today the state has little capability to carry out even basic functions like security, policing, regulation or core service delivery. Enhancing this capability, especially in fragile states, is a long-term task. Countries like Haiti or Lib

Many reform initiatives in developing countries fail to achieve sustained improvements in performance because they are merely isomorphic mimicry.that is, governments and organizations pretend to reform by changing what policies or organizations look like