Do beliefs, norms and ideas matter in public policy?

How are policy-making and implementation shaped by the norms and beliefs of the policy-makers, local officials or community leaders, or ordinary citizens?

IDCPPA researchers probe this through the study of social protection policy across much of Southern Africa.

Researchers from the Institute of Democracy, Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa participated in the massive biannual conference of the European Consortium on African Studies (ECAS) in the German city of Köln in May/June. 

Winnie Arthur presented her analysis of cross-country differences in attitudes towards social protection, using evidence from her surveys in Cape Town and Lusaka.

Chris Saunders spoke at a roundtable discussion of the new book he co-edited on Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union and African decolonization.

Sikhanyiso Masuku presented a paper on urban informality and responses to COVID-19 in Zimbabwe.

Doruk Isikci presented a paper on civil society, democracy and social cohesion in Cape Town.

Lena Gronbach presented an overview of social protection responses to COVID-19 in Africa.

Jeremy Seekings chaired a conference session on norms, values, beliefs and the future of social protection.