Defining Political Will

Abstract

Although frequently invoked as a rhetorical tool in political discussions, “political will” remains ambiguous as a concept. Acknowledging the centrality of political will to policy outcomes, the authors propose a pragmatic and systematic approach to definition. This approach facilitates analysis by identifying particular shortcomings in political will. This identification in turn permits the application of appropriate theoretical frameworks from various disciplines and the effective construction and use of ameliorative measures. The authors also address fundamental issues like the specification of contexts. The analytical approach includes a conceptual definition dissected into essential components, along with corresponding means of operationalization and targets for assessment. Among the major definitional components are requirements that a sufficient set of decision makers intends to support a particular initiative and that such support is committed. The latter condition is difficult to ascertain, but various signals, influences, and constraints on action are observable. Aunque frecuentemente invocado como una herramienta retórica en las discusiones políticas, “la voluntad política” se mantiene como unconcepto ambiguo. Reconociendo la importancia de la voluntad política en los resultados políticos, los autores proponen una aproximación pragmática y sistemática para su definición. Esta aproximación facilita el análisis al identificar faltas particulares en el concepto de voluntad política. Dicha identificación permite a su vez la aplicación del marco teórico apropiado de varias disciplinas y la construcción efectiva y utilización de medidas de mejoramiento. Los autores abordan también tópicos fundamentales como la importancia del contexto. La aproximación analítica incluye una definición conceptual diseccionada en componentes esenciales, junto con medios correspondientes de operacionalización y los objetivos a evaluar. Entre los componentes más importantes de la definición están los requerimientos que una serie de hacedores de políticas intente apoyar una iniciativa particular y que dicho apoyo sea real. La última condición es difícil de determinar, pero varias señales, influencias, y limitaciones son observables.

Thinking About the Politics of Inclusive Development: Towards a Relational Approach

“…Here we define political elites as those "who have the organized capacity to make real political trouble" (Burton and Higley, 2001), and include those holding valued assets (e.g. 2 The notion that 'inclusion' is uniformly 'good thing' is a misconception that a good deal of critical thinking on poverty analysis and social justice has sought to problematise and move beyond, not least because of the disempowering effects for weaker groups of being included on adverse terms in dominant political, economic and social orders (e.g. Jackson, 1999, Hickey anddu Toit, 2007).…”

“…World Bank, 2008). 2 The second move is to shift the focus beyond 'poverty' and 'the poor'. As argued elsewhere (Hickey, 2008), a discourse on poverty can make it difficult to think politically and may distract from a focus on achieving the fuller goal of social justice implied by the term 'inclusive development'.…”

Political Will and the Role of the People: Fighting Corruption in Ukraine After the Revolution

“…Notably, young people also seem to be more prepared to suff er economic hardships in favor of long-term positive perspectives. Some express understanding that economic depression is a necessary stage of economic reforms: [18][19][20]. 4.…”

“…Th e participants pointed to an emerging divide in people's consciousness in recent years "…Somehow relations between people have changed…a year ago there was a sort of solidarity among the people and it was palpable. Now people are divided with one person saying one thing and others saying something else" (Dmintry [18][19][20]Kharkiv). Today people are "afraid to openly express their opinions because they fear provoking confl icts" .…”

Scenario analysis for biodiversity conservation: A social–ecological system approach in the Australian Alps

“…Such champions act as change agents who create environments for others to innovate, take risks and learn (Taylor et al, 2011). Political will, the extent of committed support among key decision makers for a particular policy solution to a particular problem (Post et al, 2010), is an important ingredient of government leadership. Political leaders need to work to secure wide political and community support for the objectives and actions of biodiversity conservation.…”