This note explains what political economy analysis is and shows how it can and should be used to strengthen DFID’s work.
Political economy tools have the potential reduce the risks and improve the impact of particular interventions. They can also identify ways of working with partners that generate more mutual respect, avoid harmful practices and maximise DFID’s development impact.
The main questions it addresses are:
- what is political economy analysis?
- how and why does political economy analysis add value to DFID work?
- what approaches and tools are available?
- how should the analysis be prepared, undertaken and applied to DFID’s work?