Paper short abstract:

This paper aims to identify key ideological elements of community driven development (CDD) using a case study in Myanmar. An Agency-Power-Dimension framework is used to compare two CDD models: developmental state and revised neoliberalism. The framework helps to focus evaluation efforts of CDD.

Paper long abstract:

Reconciling the dual imperatives of legitimate state building and efficient service delivery, Community-Driven Development (CDD) is praised as "a new way of engagement" in fragile states. However, a lack of a coherent analytical framework contributes to the complexity in evaluating the effects of CDD projects. This paper aims to identify key ideological elements of CDD and its operationalization in two aid projects in Myanmar: Korea's SMU and the World Bank's NCDDP.

An Agency-Power-Dimension framework is used to describe CDD aid policies from two development approaches: developmental state and revised neoliberalism, represented by SMU and NCDDP respectively.

Agency refers to the main agents of delivering public goods. Emphasizing the role of the government, SMU deploys quasi-governmental agencies from Korea to train local government extension workers. In contrast, the NCDDP emphasizes the role of the market - private companies or international NGOs - who hire facilitators to train villagers.

The two projects also differ in the distribution and source of power. Whereas the success of SMU depends largely on the outcomes of local projects, NCDDP focuses on the processes of equity and inclusion.

Finally, SMU is dedicated to the dimension of economic development in local communities, with an emphasis on agricultural production and related income generation. NCDDP's efforts focus on the dimension of social development in the context of infrastructure enhancements and emergency response.

The framework helps to focus evaluation efforts of CDD. Policymakers seeking development opportunities in other fragile states can use the approach to be responsive to these local conditions.