CMI Research Group
Rights, Democracy and Development
Presentation | People | Projects | Publications
Development can be seen in terms of human rights - as advancement of social, economic, and cultural rights as well as civil and political rights. Protection of the rights of vulnerable groups,- in decision-making and in the distribution of resources,- is important for development outcomes. Yet, formal recognition of rights through constitutions, courts and political institutions often has little impact in the face of powerful social and economic interests and cultural norms.
Key questions:
- When do formal rights and political institutions work for development?
- How is accountability established ?
- How do formal and informal institutions and norms interact in development processes: in local communities, at the national level, and in international relations?
Our research combines anthropology, economics, political science and law, and studies the interplay between formal and informal institutions and practices that shape development outcomes.
Current focus:
- Human rights and Transitional Justice
- Political Accountability and Power
- Courts' Social and Political Role
- International Ethics and Global Governance
Human Rights and Transitional Justice
Within the broader research agenda, distinct programs and projects constitute central focal points. Building on the long-standing Human Rights Programme at CMI, one such focal area is that of fundamental human rights and what actions are taken when basic rights are violated. In particular, we look at how various societies torn by conflict, war and repression deal with their legacies of gross human rights violations and attempt re-establish the rule of law. Another focus is on the violation of women’s rights.
Political Accountability and Power
A second focal point is the institutionalisation of democratic processes aimed at securing citizens’ voice and political accountability. These are central objectives of political reform processes and aid policies, but have proven difficult to realize. To understand why, we build onto the Political Institutions in Africa research programme, combining insights developed here regarding the conditions for institutionalisation of formal political processes and institutions, with a stronger focus on informal processes, and on how formal institutions interact with power-structures based on economic resources and culture.
Courts' Social and Political Role
Courts constitute a third focal point, in the programmes Courts and Accountability and Courts and the Poor. We systematically explore the role of legal institutions in political processes, as accountability agents and a space for dissenting voices. We also investigate the role of legal institutions in the social inclusion and exclusion of poor and vulnerable groups, looking at access to the courts as well as the courts’ responsiveness and capability. The conditions for judicial legitimacy in diverse social and political contexts is a core concern, focusing in particular on the interaction between the formal legal system and traditional law. Land is one area where the interplay between formal and customary legal norms and institutions are of particular significance, along with the power-context within which they operate.
International Ethics and Global Governance
A fourth focus area is international ethics and global governance. This area addresses the roles and responsibilities of external agents in promoting rights and influencing development processes. Our research includes three key aspects: Firstly, and related to the research outlined above, we focus on the impact of donors on domestic power-relations and accountability-processes. Secondly, we focus on international corporations engaged in developing countries. What is their impact on local and national development processes? What are their responsibilities? How can corporate social responsibility be determined and promoted? Thirdly, and more broadly, we are interested in international human rights norms and conventions, the role they play in development processes, and how they are utilised by different actors, politically and through legal mobilisation.
