Michael Woolcock, a prominent figure in the development discourse and Lead Social Development Specialist at the World Bank, recently delivered a keynote speech at the International Conference on Best Development Practices and Policies in Jakarta. His insights shed light on a new era in development, which he aptly terms Development 2.0. Here are the key takeaways from Woolcock’s address:
- Transitioning to Development 2.0: Development 1.0 focused on implementing technocratic reforms to ensure access to basic services like education and healthcare. With many countries, especially middle-income ones, having established the necessary infrastructure, Development 2.0 shifts the focus to enhancing state capability to effectively deliver quality public services. Instead of merely building schools and health centers, the emphasis is on understanding why some perform well while others do not, thereby necessitating targeted research and interventions.
- Embracing Localized Solutions: Unlike the traditional approach of scaling up best practices nationwide, Development 2.0 advocates for mapping out variations in service quality and delivery. This entails moving away from a technocratic evidence-based approach to a multidisciplinary one that considers diverse sources of knowledge, including community insights. By recognizing the diversity of development problems, policymakers can tailor context-specific solutions that leverage local knowledge and resources.
- Harnessing Multiple Sources of Evidence: The era of Development 2.0 relies on diverse research methods and types of evidence to inform policy decisions. By integrating community knowledge and other forms of capital, such as social and human capital, policymakers can gain a comprehensive understanding of service delivery challenges and devise effective interventions accordingly.
- Embracing Variation and Uncertainty: Development 2.0 acknowledges and embraces variation and uncertainty as inherent features of development processes. Rather than pursuing one-size-fits-all solutions, policymakers must adopt context-specific approaches that are technically sound and politically feasible. This flexibility increases the likelihood of successful outcomes in complex and diverse environments.
- Cultivating Humility in Approach: Woolcock emphasizes the need for humility among development practitioners and researchers. Acknowledging the limitations of our understanding and avoiding the temptation to offer simplistic solutions, we must instead focus on mapping out bureaucratic challenges and providing targeted support to improve service delivery.
In reflecting on Woolcock’s insights, we are reminded of Albert O. Hirschman’s perspective on the importance of doubt and the recognition of unintended consequences in development planning. As we navigate the complexities of Development 2.0, embracing uncertainty and humility will be essential for driving meaningful progress and achieving sustainable development outcomes.