LIST OF PANELS

Policy formulation is not a reflection of any one actor, but rather an often-complicated interaction of history, ideology, politics, socio-economic conditions, and external shocks which conspire to shape how nations develop. In the case of Africa and the Caribbean, which were subject to hundreds of years of colonial rule, wealth extraction and exploitation, public policy formulation and development often takes a different, slower path. These relatively young democracies with their underdeveloped and under-resourced political institutions are playing catch up with rest of the world. Literacy and education attainment levels remain abysmal, health and economic outcomes are comparatively lower, and chronic food and energy insecurity persist. The history of colonialism is well documented in academic literature, but the shadow cast on public policy formulation and implementation remains a work in progress.

In 1972, Walter Rodney expertly interrogated how Europe underdeveloped Africa. Later, in 2021 Hilary Beckles chronicled how the same continent underdeveloped the Caribbean. This panel aims to build on this conversation, specifically from the perspective of public policy. How has the colonial experience and its aftermath shaped or hindered the formulation and implementation of sound public policy? Education, economic, financial development, trade, health and social security, and climate change are just some of the areas of public policy which will be examined for colonial links and its vestiges. Specifically, the panel will address the following areas of enquiry:

1. Interrogate how colonialism has impacted and influenced public policy formulation and implementation in Africa and the Caribbean.

2. Identify the different areas of public policy most affected by the colonial experience. For example, education, health, etc.

3. Compare how post-colonial public policy formulation and implementation have differed between former colonies and identify the main factors which contributed to disparities.

4. Explore how public policy formulation and implementation has differed in former colonies compared to former colonial powers.

5. Identify how implemented public policy in the Caribbean and Africa disrupt the legacies of colonialism. 

We propose for this panel to be onsite and in person. Both panel chairs will be in physical attendance at ICPP6. 

As part of the 6th International Conference on Public Policy, the International Public Policy Association invites submissions for the for the panel ‘Public Policy Formulation in Post-colonial Africa and the Caribbean’. We welcome submissions of abstracts or completed papers which explore the policy formulation across nations in Africa and the Caribbean and the link to colonialism. “Colonialism refers to the combination of territorial, juridical, cultural, linguistic, political, mental/epistemic, and/or economic domination of one group of people or groups of people by another (external) group of people” (Amber Murrey, in International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, 2020). In 1972, Walter Rodney expertly interrogated how Europe underdeveloped Africa. Later, in 2021 Hilary Beckles chronicled how the same continent underdeveloped the Caribbean. The panel aims to build on this conversation.

Suggested themes

Submitting authors can prepare theoretical, empirical or applied policy papers and case studies relevant to any of the areas of enquiry below. Papers can utilise any methodology deemed appropriate but must reflect academic best practices. Final submissions should follow the journal submission guidelines of the International Review of Public Policy. Topics/themes of interest include but are not limited to:

1.      Interrogation of colonialism’s impact and influence on public policy formulation and implementation in Africa and the Caribbean.

2.      Identifying the areas of public policy most affected by the colonial experience—education, health, trade, law and governance, finance and economic policy etc.

3.      Differences in the post-colonial public policy formulation and implementation experience between former colonies and the main factors which have contributed to disparities.

4.      Explore how public policy formulation and implementation has differed in former colonies compared to their former colonial powers.

5.      Identify how implemented public policy in the Caribbean and Africa disrupt the legacies of colonialism.

Who can submit

Contributions are invited from established and emerging scholars, public intellectuals, post-graduate students and public policy practitioners in the foregoing areas of enquiry.