Department for International Development: a core executive analysis of British international development policy between 1997-2002

Larcombe, Joshua ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4981-5082 2024. Department for International Development: a core executive analysis of British international development policy between 1997-2002. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis was written as a response to gaps in the economic and political literatures on development. The approach taken provided a basis for future studies: a ‘development core executive’, which contextualises the inter-departmental relationships which determine development policy. This is the first study to write about the Department for International Development (DfID) in the context of a discrete ‘development core executive’. The use of ideational power contributes to the political science literature, building on previous scholarly analyses and fleshing out the study of a ‘new’ core executive resource. It provides a novel contribution to the understanding of development organisations, treating them as complex and politically contingent. This research can impact future academic studies of DfID, and provide a case study for policy-makers on the creation of a successful new government department. This thesis has four aims: to explore New Labour overseas policy in the context of Third Way ideology, to analyse the establishment of DfID in Whitehall from 1997-2002, to survey the tension between agency and structure in the core executive, and to provide a novel case study of British development policy. In seeking to respond to these aims, it cites newly-released National Archives documents and includes eight private elite-level interviews. This thesis concluded that the ‘development core executive’ is an effective analytical tool for understanding British development policy, appropriately contextualising important relationships. Within this structure, political patronage, material resources, ideational power, and perceived authority and expertise were key to DfID establishing itself. In addition to core executive structure, it looked at the co-constitutive effects of agency, this framework drew a clear link between Third Way ideology and DfID’s work. Clare Short was incredibly important in determining DfID’s approach; she dictated that resource protection was more important than efficacious policy. This showed that analysing political processes is fundamental to understanding DfID’s policy.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Cardiff Law & Politics
Subjects:	J Political Science > JF Political institutions (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Department for International Development, core executive, development policy, New Labour, Clare Short, Kosovo, Sierra Leone.
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	7 January 2025
Last Modified:	07 Jan 2025 09:50
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/175047

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