Governance and Local Development Institute
“We aim to promote human welfare by conducting scientifically rigorous research across the globe. Our research focuses on answering a fundamental question: why are some communities able to provide secure environments, good education, adequate healthcare, and other factors that encourage human development, while others fail to do so? We engage with communities across the world, develop methodological tools, gather data, undertake analyses on major issues affecting societies today, and disseminate findings to academics, relevant policy-makers, and the communities in which we work.”
Keep Up with Us
Latest Publications
Migrant Remittances and Local Taxes in Latin America
This paper challenges the existing literature by focusing on local-level remittances and tax attitudes rather than national-level formal taxes. Contrary to previous findings that link remittances to lower tax revenues and higher tax evasion tolerance, this study theorizes that local remittance recipients are more likely to pay taxes. Analysis of AmericasBarometer data supports this, showing that remittance recipients are more willing to pay higher municipal taxes for better services. Additionally, these recipients' greater tax compliance is linked to higher trust in local authorities, increased demands on them, and active community engagement, including tax-like payments for community improvements. This local perspective provides a deeper understanding of the tax attitudes of migrants and their families.
Improving Anti-Corruption Efforts in Local Governance: Prosecutorial Presence in Brazil
Brazil's system of governance faces significant challenges at the municipal level, where the misuse of public resources and corruption often hinder the effective delivery of essential services. Prosecutors have emerged as key actors in promoting accountability and combating the use of public employment as "political currency." This policy brief builds on Guillermo Toral's recent GLD Working Paper, which illustrates the impact of prosecutorial presence in Brazilian municipalities, highlighting their essential role in battling local governance corruption.
Fellow Interview with Anjali Thomas
Anjali Thomas is an Associate Professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. She specializes in comparative politics and political economy with a focus on India. The questions that drive her research pertain to the politics of public service provision, local and multi-level governance, gender disparities, and distributive politics. We spoke to Anjali about her book on local democracy in the developing world, her work on water access in Mumbai, and two memorable fieldwork experiences from India.
Fellow Interview with Jessie Trudeau
Jessie Trudeau is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Her research focuses on organized crime and policing, primarily in Brazil. She is currently revising her book manuscript, Machine Gun Politics: Why Politicians Cooperate with Criminal Groups, which explains why local candidates collude electorally with criminal organizations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In this interview, we will cover Jessie's book manuscript, what sparked her research interest, and the lessons she learned from her fieldwork.
Governance Uncovered
Our monthly podcast invites scholars and professionals worldwide to discuss issues related to governance and local development with host Ellen Lust.
Governance Uncovered is supported by the Swedish Research Council.