Africa’s pulse: Listening to citizens in an age of uncertainty – Joseph Asunka

As global politics shifts and economic pressures mount, understanding what citizens actually think — not what outsiders assume they think — has never been more important. In this episode, Dan Banik speaks with Joseph Asunka, CEO of Afrobarometer, the pan-African, non-partisan research network that has become the world’s leading source of high-quality data on what Africans are thinking about democracy, governance, the economy, and society. The conversation explores the paradox of political engagement in a digital age — where young people are more likely to mobilize on social media or take to the streets than to join parties or vote. Dan and Joseph discuss the widening generational gap between citizens and leaders, the persistence of “big man” politics, and the crucial role of credible data in strengthening accountability and democratic resilience.Resources:African insights 2025: Citizen engagement, citizen power: Africans claim the promise of democracyAfrobarometer websiteJoseph Asunka on LinkedIn and X  Host:Dan Banik LinkedInX: @danbanik @GlobalDevPod Subscribe:Apple Spotify YouTubehttps://in-pursuit-of-development.simplecast.com

Bangladesh is often described as one of the great development success stories of recent decades. Poverty has fallen sharply, life expectancy has risen, and millions of women have entered the workforce. Today, however, that narrative sits uneasily beside new questions about data reliability, the cost-of-living crisis, and deepening inequality. What explains this paradox and what does Bangladesh’s experience reveal about how societies learn from crisis?In this episode, Dan Banik speaks with Naomi Hossain, Global Research Professor in the Department of Development Studies at SOAS University of London. A political sociologist, Naomi’s work examines how people living with poverty and precarity secure the public services they need, and how states can be held to account. The conversation revisits the Bangladesh’s turbulent early years: the 1970 Bhola cyclone, the liberation war, and the devastating 1974 famine that killed over one and a half million people. Out of those traumas emerged a political and moral consensus that food security and disaster preparedness had to come first. From there, Bangladesh built a foundation for growth through innovation in health, education, and social protection, and through a society that proved remarkably adaptive and resilient.Resources:Theorising the politics of famine: Bangladesh in 1974The Aid Lab: Understanding Bangladesh’s Unexpected Success (OUP 2017)Reflections on Bangladesh at 50Naomi Hossain on LinkedIn and X Host:Dan Banik LinkedInX: @danbanik @GlobalDevPod Subscribe:Apple Spotify YouTubehttps://in-pursuit-of-development.simplecast.com

The United Nations is facing its worst financial crisis in decades. Compared to its 2023 peak, total UN spending has fallen by almost one-third.While some countries have withheld much of their funding, others are paying late. And still others have reduced or postponed contributions. Against this backdrop, Secretary-General António Guterres has launched the UN80 reform initiative, an effort to streamline operations and review mandates at a time when the organization is struggling to keep the lights on.In this conversation, Dan Banik speaks with Dr. Ronny Patz, an independent UN financing analyst and author of Managing Money and Discord in the UN, about what lies behind the current liquidity crunch and why reforming the UN is so politically fraught. They explore how money, mandates, and majorities rarely align; why a considerable amount of UN funding now comes through earmarked projects; and how donor mistrust, fragmentation, and “cutback management” are reshaping the very foundations of global governance.The discussion moves beyond budgets to ask a larger question: Can the United Nations still fulfill its universal mission in a post-aid world?Listeners will come away with a sharper understanding of how bureaucratic politics, donor behaviour, and global power shifts are redefining the future of multilateralism.Resources:The UN80 InitiativeUN faces deepening financial crisis, urges members to pay upManaging Money and Discord in the UN: Budgeting and Bureaucracy (OUP 2019)Ronny Patz on LinkedInVisit ronny-patz.de  Host:Dan Banik LinkedInX: @danbanik @GlobalDevPod Subscribe:Apple Spotify YouTubehttps://in-pursuit-of-development.simplecast.com

In the first episode of In Pursuit of Development Season 6, host Dan Banik returns after an unexpected year-and-a-half hiatus following a serious health emergency. Dan examines how the world has entered a period of profound flux. The once-stable liberal international order is giving way to a more fragmented and contested multipolar reality. He explores how trade wars, weakening multilateral institutions, debt crises, environmental stress, and disruptive technologies are reshaping global politics and development. However, amidst this turbulence, he identifies a powerful countercurrent — the growing visibility and influence of the Global South. Dan unpacks how countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are asserting new forms of leadership and cooperation — through the G20, BRICS, and South–South partnerships — and how this shift is transforming debates on trade, climate justice, technology, and governance. The episode also reflects on the challenges within the Global South itself, including internal inequalities, differing national interests, and the risk of reproducing old hierarchies in new ways.Despite the uncertainty of this “interregnum” moment, Dan closes with a message of cautious optimism — a politics of hope grounded in evidence. He highlights global progress in health, education, poverty reduction, and renewable energy, emphasizing that crises often generate creativity and collaboration. The episode sets the stage for a new season of conversations with scholars, activists, and policymakers who will explore how the Global South’s choices — and the world’s response — will shape the future of global development. Host:Dan Banik LinkedInX: @danbanik @GlobalDevPod Subscribe:Apple Spotify YouTubehttps://in-pursuit-of-development.simplecast.com

Season finale!  It is my great pleasure to welcome back a person I have very much enjoyed speaking with earlier— Dan Honig, an Associate Professor of Public Policy at University College London and Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy (@rambletastic). His latest book is Mission Driven Bureaucrats: Empowering People To Help Government Do Better. Mission-driven bureaucrats, according to Dan, are individuals who work within the bureaucracy with a genuine desire to serve their organization's mission of helping citizens. They perform their jobs out of a strong belief in their purpose, rather than being driven by a set of rules or incentives that compel them to act in specific ways. But what are the historical roots of the term "mission," and how can mission-driven bureaucrats thrive? The book argues that the key to better government lies in empowerment and trust, rather than stricter controls and more rigorous oversight.  Key highlightsIntroduction – 00:24Mission driven bureaucrats – 04:04Managers like Ted Lasso – 18:21Managing for empowerment versus managing for compliance – 25:12Demotivated and unmotivated bureaucrats – 37:46Characteristics of efficient bureaucracies around the world – 35:06New public management and the centrality of citizens – 43:52 Host:Dan Banik LinkedInX: @danbanik @GlobalDevPod Subscribe:Apple Spotify YouTubehttps://in-pursuit-of-development.simplecast.com

The liberal international order, characterized by rules-based multilateralism and values such as openness and representation, is often portrayed in terms of multiple crises. These crises, often analyzed from a Western perspective, include the reduced support of some Western powers towards certain multilateral institutions and the establishment of new ones by rising powers. However, these narratives often overlook the perspectives of low and middle-income countries, which is why in this episode, we shift our focus to understand how the Global South perceives and engages with this international order.Rohan Mukherjee is an assistant professor at the Department of International Relations, at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). His latest book is  Ascending Order: Rising Powers and the Politics of Status in International Institutions. @rohan_mukhKey highlightsIntroduction – 00:24Global governance viewed from the Global South – 02:54Crisis of authority and new bargains – 09:57Rising powers and the politics of status – 16:05The quest for status and symbolic equality within the international system – 24:14Institutional openness and procedural fairness – 35:06Admitting rising powers into the great power club – 46:37 Host:Dan Banik LinkedInX: @danbanik @GlobalDevPod Subscribe:Apple Spotify YouTubehttps://in-pursuit-of-development.simplecast.com

The ever-evolving world of global power dynamics is characterized by the complex relationships between large economies such as the United States and China and how these interactions are perceived and navigated by countries in the Global South. Understanding these dynamics requires a comprehensive view of how some countries, such as China, position themselves as a challenger to the existing world order and US hegemony through their economic, structural, and normative power. While many countries in the Global South are finding it challenging to navigate the complex terrain of great power competition, some are leveraging their unique positions to maximize benefits and assert their sovereignty. They engage strategically with multiple great powers, negotiating deals and leveraging relationships to their advantage, balancing economic needs, security concerns, and political aspirations. Ilaria Carrozza is a senior researcher at the The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Her research focuses on understanding how China extends its influence abroad and challenges the existing world order. @ilaria_carrozzaResourcesShaping the Digital Architecture: Contested Norms on Digital Technology in Southeast AsiaChina’s Digital Silk Road and Malaysia’s Technological Neutrality Dual-Use AI Technology in China, the US and the EU: Strategic Implications for the Balance of Power Winds of Change? The Impact of Non-Western Powers’ Engagement in Afghanistan and the Sahel How Does the China-Russia Partnership Impact Security Dynamics in East Asia? Key highlightsIntroduction – 00:24Great power competition viewed from the Global South – 03:30The Russia-China alliance and resurgence of the BRICS – 11:40Global development and global security concerns – 18:50Chinese versus Western alternatives – 37:42  Host:Dan Banik LinkedInX: @danbanik @GlobalDevPod Subscribe:Apple Spotify YouTubehttps://in-pursuit-of-development.simplecast.com

A central theme in Ian Shapiro's extensive body of research is the concept of domination, which captures the reactive nature of human beings towards power structures. Unlike traditional political theories that imagine societies designing just orders from scratch, Ian argues that political institutions evolve in response to the rejection of unacceptable power dynamics. This reactive nature is evident in the historical shifts from feudalism to absolutism, and eventually to democracy, driven by people's resistance to absolute power.Ian Shapiro is Sterling Professor of Political Science and Global Affairs at Yale University. In his latest book Uncommon Sense, he explores why citizens in many democracies are profoundly alienated and some democracies are in danger of failing. Key highlightsIntroduction – 00:24The fight against domination – 02:50The role of political parties in resisting domination – 05:41Disillusionment with democracies and the role of deliberation – 11:24Amartya Sen and development as freedom – 23:16Betting on hope – 34:29 Host:Dan Banik LinkedInX: @danbanik @GlobalDevPod Subscribe:Apple Spotify YouTubehttps://in-pursuit-of-development.simplecast.com

Effective bureaucracies are pivotal in mobilizing resources, implementing development projects, and ensuring equitable distribution of growth benefits across all societal segments. Conversely, weak administrative systems often result in inefficiency, corruption, and the derailment of vital development efforts aimed at improving health, education, and economic opportunities. The significance of administrative capacity extends beyond immediate program implementation. Strong administrative systems ensure that the achievements of development policies are maintained over time, adapting to new challenges like technological changes, demographic shifts, and environmental sustainability. This adaptability is essential for long-term development outcomes, making the strengthening of bureaucratic institutions a fundamental aspect of enhancing overall state capacity.Sameen A. Mohsin Ali is an Assistant Professor of International Development at the University of Birmingham. She works in the fields of comparative politics, development studies, and political economy, with a specialisation in the bureaucratic politics of Pakistan. @sameen_mohsinResourcesCitizen trust, administrative capacity and administrative burden in Pakistan’s immunization program (open access)Networks of effectiveness? The impact of politicization on bureaucratic performance in Pakistan (author's accepted manuscript)Pakistan election: the military has long meddled in the country’s politics – this year will be no different, The Conversation UKOral History, Collaboration and Research on Women Public Sector Workers in Pakistan, with Sana Haroon, MHRC blogBureaucratic Reform, Discourse, Pakistan Institute of Development EconomicsThe good, the bad and the ugly in Punjab’s new local government laws. Herald, 5 July, 2019.Good sifarish, bad sifarish: A look at PML-N’s selective anti-corruption drive. DAWN 19 April, 2018.Pakistan: COVID-19, federalism and the first wave response. (open access)Key highlightsIntroduction – 00:24State capacity and administrative capacity – 03:26The role of patronage politics – 09:03Civil servant strategies to tackle political interference – 16:49Socialization strategies, motivation, and demotivation – 25:09Networks of effectiveness – 32:14Trust between citizens and the state – 45:16  Host:Dan Banik LinkedInX: @danbanik @GlobalDevPod Subscribe:Apple Spotify YouTubehttps://in-pursuit-of-development.simplecast.com

A common concern voiced by leaders in many developing nations is the deterioration of their road systems and the apparent hesitance of the international community to fund infrastructure improvements. In response, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013. This sweeping project has facilitated investments in sectors such as transportation, infrastructure, telecommunications, logistics, energy, and oil and gas. While some African citizens and policymakers view the BRI as an opportunity to expand their policy space for development, opinions are divided. The presence of Chinese investments in Africa's infrastructure has ignited a multifaceted debate about the benefits of such partnerships versus the risks, including debt dependency, sustainability issues, and project prioritization that might not meet the wider needs of the population.Karuti Kanyinga is a Research Professor of Development Studies at the Institute for Development Studies (IDS), University of Nairobi, who has worked extensively on governance and development. @karutikkKey highlightsIntroduction – 00:24Public perceptions of recent infrastructure projects in Nairobi – 03:18Project modalities and demands for greater transparency – 08:09Negotiating better deals with external actors – 14:36The cost of politics – 22:16Expectations of idealism in politics – 28:37Strategies for combating corruption – 37:42 Host:Dan Banik LinkedInX: @danbanik @GlobalDevPod Subscribe:Apple Spotify YouTubehttps://in-pursuit-of-development.simplecast.com