Exploring State–Civil Society Collaboration: Policy Partnerships in Developing Countries

Abstract

This article examines state–civil society partnerships for policy implementation, focusing on the basic factors partnerships need to deal with to be effective. These include specification of objectives and degree of convergence, mechanisms for combining effort and managing cooperation, determination of appropriate roles and responsibilities, and capacity to fulfill those roles and responsibilities. Four cases are presented, three from Africa and one from Eastern Europe. The cases are analyzed in an effort to identify the situational variables that influence state–civil society partnerships, effective partnership mechanisms and processes, and management techniques and tools for supporting cooperative action. The article considers the applicability of strategic management approaches and tools to policy partnerships. Finally, it suggests a series of steps for governments to consider taking that hold the promise of strengthening the successful pursuit of state–civil society partnerships.