Policy - integration, decentralisation and privatisation

The working group is led by François Molle from IRD, France. Email:  molle@mpl.ird.fr

Purpose and Approach

This theme analyses the history of State and regional water policies, paying particular attention to how benefits and involuntary risks are shared, how cross-sectoral competition and coordination is handled and the ways by which issues become embedded in public policy. We take as a starting point the changes in formal laws and regulations related to water resources and the specific management and infrastructure development activities undertaken or facilitated by the State focussing on privatisation and decentralisation reforms and how these alter rights to water.

We then extend our consideration to non-actions that in themselves constitute key policy choices as well as the impacts of policies which are often critical while conventionally considered as non-water. Here we anticipate special attention being given to agriculture, fisheries, conservation and energy. Finally, we will complement our policy analysis with institutional analysis of the interactions of actors in the bureaucracy, parliament, non-governmental organisations, and various stakeholders at different stages of the policy cycle.

State policies form the backdrop against which the respective roles of the State, the citizenry, and the market will be defined. They govern the room for manoeuvre and adjustment allowed to the different actors. However, it is also important to recognise that there generally is a significant gap between formal State policy and its application in practice. Rules on paper do not necessarily equate to rules on the ground. Usually there is interplay between local and State, formal and informal institutions. These interplays can be adaptive, allowing flexible modification of centralised policy to local contexts, but they can also be dysfunctional leading to failures to meet wider desirable development objectives.

Rarely is there a uniform view within government on which elements of State policy should be prioritised or emphasised. Different departments in the line agencies often have conflicting viewpoints. The vision and the objectives of the State administration may also significantly differ from that of the political parties at the helm at a given point in time.

Few policy-making processes are endogenous. They are also significantly influenced by international actors, including development banks and bilateral/multilateral cooperation agencies. The understanding of policies and of policy-making must therefore take into consideration the bearing of the agendas of various institutions on the whole process.

There exists little whole-of-State, whole-of-Mekong basin or whole-of-Mekong Region analyses of the policy positions of each State, their shifting tides and the driving forces with most influence. Nor is there a clear picture of how actual processes are governed by formal policy postures. This theme will strive to rectify this.

Policies questions

1. How are policies on water made? How do they become institutionalised in laws, regulations and organisational structures, mandates and relationships?
2. To what extent has decentralisation and privatisation reforms occurred in the water and water-related sectors? What impact have they had on environmental management and livelihood sustainability?
3. Do decentralisation and privatisation as it is unfolding today enhance or hinder the prospect of sustainable use of water?
   

Public Documents