Toolkits and guidance

Thinking and Working Politically through Applied Political Economy Analysis

Alina Rocha Menocal, Marc Cassidy, Sarah Swift, David Jacobstein, Corinne Rothblum, Ilona Tservil (USAID) 2018

This guidance provides information on how USAID can think and work in ways that are more politically aware — an approach known as “thinking and working politically” (TWP) — through the use of applied political economy analysis. PEA is a structured approach to examining power dynamics and economic and social forces that influence development. Through programming that seeks to more rigorously respond and adapt to these realities, USAID is working to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of its international development efforts. PEA can help to operationalize the process of thinking politically, while USAID’s initiative on Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA), described later in this guide, supports the operationalization of working politically. Together, they can add significant value to a mission’s strategy, projects and activities — offering the potential to address development challenges in all sectors. This guide follows the definition of politics as the process of determining “who gets what, when and how.”

Using political economy analysis in conflict, security and justice programmes

Lisa Denney 2016

This guidance note provides a framework for implementers of conflict, security and justice programmes to conduct political economy analysis (PEA) at the design or inception phase to ensure a deep understanding of the context drives activities. The publication draws on ODI’s ongoing work employing PEA to security and justice programmes.

Applied Political Economy Analysis Field Guide

Diana Cammack 2016

This document provides an overview of the methodology currently being adopted by USAID in its programming. They are developing Applied PEA as a problem-focused methodology intended to be used by Mission staff to inform the design of aid interventions at any phase of the USAID program cycle and at any level of effort.