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Abstract
Global governance is widely perceived to be ‘gridlocked’, ‘unravelling’, and ‘unfit for purpose’. The legitimacy of old institutions is breaking down, yet new institutions struggle to establish themselves as viable alternatives. Though overlooked, global development governance is no exception. Heterogeneous development actors, approaches, and understandings increasingly characterize the field. However, attempts to create a common platform have foundered. This article contributes to a growing body of literature that depicts world order as a Gramscian ‘interregnum’ to account for the crisis facing global development. Its primary contribution lies in the examination of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation as a vantage point to explore the politics, dynamics and struggles over the means and ends of ‘development’ in the current conjuncture. Here, competing projects vie for influence, yet none command the support necessary to supplant the ‘old' order. Although this article finds that the condition of ‘interregnum’ will likely persist, it also explores what transformative elements of a possible future exist within present practices.
Notes
Acknowledgements
My particular thanks go to Marcus Power and Emma Mawdsley for their helpful and encouraging comments on earlier versions of this article. I am also deeply grateful to the three anonymous reviewers for their time, insights and constructive engagement. Finally, a huge thanks go to all project participants and to OECD and UNDP colleagues on both sides of the Atlantic.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes
1 I recognize the contention that a ‘hermeneutical or psychological understanding of the meaning or motivation (mentalité) on the side of individuals, groups, or classes does not provide exhaustive explanation’ of social phenomena (Teshke and Heine, Citation2002, p. 174; Adorno, Citation1976, p. 14). These ‘mentalities’ are therefore contextualized, co-determined and situated within broader shifts in social relations.
2 I subscribe to the Pragmatist epistemology of ‘truth as usefulness’. An idea is true to the extent that it can ‘carry us prosperously from any one part of our experience to any other part, linking things satisfactorily, working securely, simplifying, saving labor’ (James, Citation1987: 512).
3 Against ‘either-or’ reductionism on the ideal-material relation, I take the Pragmatist ‘as-if’ ontological position. For instance, irrespective of whether the ‘state’ really exists, it is ‘experienced [as-if] it is real when I refuse to pay taxes or go to war for it’ (Hellmann, Citation2009: 641). Given that the ‘material’ and ‘ideational’ impact upon experience, both require attention in inquiry and explanations.
4 This is not to suggest that Gramsci did not grapple with the ‘international’. Gramsci (Citation1971: 182) repeatedly spoke on how ‘international relations intertwine with the internal relations of nation-states’.
5 This includes representatives from: 6 recipient countries; 2 ‘dual category’; 3 DAC provider; 1 business; 1 parliament; 1 CSO; 1 MDB; 1 Arab provider; 1 UNSDG; 1 OECD; 1 trade union; 1 foundation, and; 1 sub-national.
6 Interview, former GPEDC secretariat member, 18/09/18.
7 Interview, ‘dual category’ official, 07/01/19.
8 Interview, OECD official 05/06/19.
9 Interview, 10/10/18.
10 Interview, 11/10/18.
11 Interview, BAPENAS representative, 22/10/18.
12 Interview, 03/10/18.
13 Interview, 30/10/18.
14 Interview, 5/11/18.
15 The rationale was that SMEs would be unaware of the SDGs and development effectiveness. Efforts would thus be best directed towards larger business actors.
16 Interview, 15/01/19.
17 IrishAid Official, 5/11/18
18 Interview, MENA official, 18/12/18.
19 Interview, 26/10/18.
20 Interview, Sub-Saharan Country official, 10/01/19.
21 North American CSO Representative, 11/10/18.
22 Southern CSO representative, 04/10/18.
23 Interview, Northern CSO representative, 11/10/18.
24 Southern CSO remark at caucusing event, 12/07/19.
25 Southern CSO representative, 04/10/18.
26 Interview, 22/05/19.
27 Interview, Northern business representative, 21/01/19.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Jack R. Taggart
Dr Jack R. Taggart is a Research Associate at the University of Cambridge. His research currently focuses on global governance, political economy, and international development. Dr Taggart also manages the India-UK Development Partnership Forum (IUKDPF). The IUKDPF supports research, knowledge exchange, and development partnership between India and the UK.