Dr. Michelle D'Arcy

This projects explores the consequences for development of different pathways of institutional sequencing, asking specifically if democratizing before the state has become strong leads to the same outcomes as democratizing after. The project draws on both historical data on how Western states developed, and contrasts this with contemporary developing countries. A range of methodologies, from qualitative case studies to psychological experiments are used to test the theories developed.

On March 4th 2013 Kenyans voted, for the first time, to elect governors at the sub-national level. This project investigates the mobilization strategies adopted by candidates for governor in order to understand how devolution is likely to impact on Kenyan politics. In doing so, the project aims to examine the conditions under which local democracy becomes a vehicle for increased accountability and when it does not.