Developing States, Shaping Citizenship: Service Delivery and Political Participation in Zambia

Developing States, Shaping Citizenship explores how citizens' interactions with the government through service provision influence their political behavior, affecting formal and collective behaviors, political engagement, and subversive behaviors. Lack of capacity for service delivery undermines economic growth, human development, and citizens' confidence in the political system, leading to less democratic participation.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 30 July 2019
\n Publisher: The University of Michigan Press
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At the intersection of political science, development studies, and public policy, Developing States, Shaping Citizenship delves into an often overlooked factor that shapes political behavior: citizens' past experiences with the government through service provision. Through a comprehensive analysis using evidence from Zambia, this book showcases how the quality of interactions with the government in the context of service delivery sends crucial signals about the potential outcomes of political action. These interactions not only influence formal political behaviors such as voting but also shape collective behavior, political engagement, and even subversive behaviors like tax evasion. Furthermore, the inability of the government to deliver services not only hinders economic growth and human development but also erodes citizens' trust in the responsiveness of the political system. Without this trust, citizens are less likely to participate in democratic processes, express their preferences, or comply with state revenue collection.

Erin Accampo Hern's book argues that economic development and political development in low-capacity states are interconnected processes. Drawing on original data from a large-N survey, interviews, Afrobarometer data, and archival materials collected over 12 months in Zambia, Hern develops a framework that incorporates the concept of policy feedback. This theory posits that policies, once implemented, exert influence on the subsequent political participation of the affected population. While this theory has primarily been applied in advanced industrial democracies, Developing States, Shaping Citizenship represents the first explicit attempt to adapt it to the developing country context.

By examining the experiences of citizens in Zambia, the book sheds light on how service provision can shape political behavior and influence the broader political landscape. It highlights the importance of responsive and efficient government services in building trust and promoting democratic engagement. Moreover, the book underscores the need for policymakers to prioritize service delivery as a means of achieving sustainable development and promoting social well-being.

Developing States, Shaping Citizenship offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between citizens, the government, and political behavior. It contributes to our understanding of how governments can foster inclusive and democratic societies by improving the quality of service provision and building trust among citizens. This book is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of development and politics in emerging economies.

\n Weight: 352g\n
Dimension: 153 x 230 x 11 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780472054145\n \n