Policy Capacity in the Global South: Linking Theory and Empirics

ABSTRACT Policy capacity is a central concept in public policy and administration. It addresses a fundamental concern over the poor conceptualization of capacity and offers a more comprehensive framework to examine the inner workings of policymaking and administration. However, its transformative potential is constrained by its inadequate exploration of, and engagement with, Global South contexts. This special issue addresses this critical gap. This editorial revisits policy capacity and underlines how realities in the Global South offer valuable insights—especially into issues of temporality, diffusion of authority, and dynamics of illiberal regimes or weak institutions, as collectively demonstrated the contributions to this special issue. It concludes with a discussion about the future research agenda.