Policy Research and Analysis Organizations: An Account of Recent Experiences and Some Predicaments in Ethiopia

Abstract

Drawing from interviews, archival documents and a range of other sources, this
article takes stock of key public policy research and analysis organizations in
Ethiopia. It sheds light on the significance of professionalization of policy
analysis and its contributions to closing the gap between knowledge and
policymaking, offers insights into improved policymaking, hints and lessons for
better institutionalization of policy analysis and research. The paper also points
to the inauspicious environment in which non-government and university based
policy research organizations operate, and touches on the negligible influence
that the latter have on policymaking. The central thesis of this article is,
therefore, professionalization of policy analysis can achieve a measure of
excellence: 1) when there is a permissive environment whereby a given
policymaking system permits a constant flow of innovative policy ideas and
gives access to policy relevant information; and 2) when the scholars in the
policy research institutes maintain standards of objectivity, autonomy and
freedom from political partisanship.