Discussion Paper

Macroprudential policies and private domestic investment in developing countries: an instrumental variables approach

Bambe, Bao-We-Wal (2025)
Discussion Paper 3/2025

Using a panel of 87 developing countries from 2000 to 2017 and applying the instrumental variables strategy, we find that the tightening of macroprudential policies significantly reduces private domestic investment, via a reduction in credit supply and financial inclusion.

From polarisation to autocratisation: the role of information pollution in Brazil's democratic erosion

Breuer, Anita (2025)
Discussion Paper 2/2025

Exploring the complex links between disinformation, polarisation, and autocratisation in Brazil, this paper offers holistic insights into root causes across media, political, institutional, and social contexts, with actionable policy recommendations to safeguard democracy.

Transparenz für mehr Wirksamkeit und öffentliches Vertrauen? Das deutsche Transparenzportal im internationalen Vergleich

Janus, Heiner / Tim Röthel (2025)
Discussion Paper 1/2025

Transparenzportale dienen in der Entwicklungspolitik der Einhaltung von Wirksamkeitsstandards und der Information der Öffentlichkeit. Ein Vergleich der zehn größten Geberländer zeigt: Standards werden meist erfüllt, doch die Informationen sind oft unzureichend für die Öffentlichkeit aufbereitet.

Digital transformation for a sustainable future: insights from Brazil's civil service

Grimm, Sven / Wulf Reiners / Mara Braun / Laura Donath / Sophia Hörbelt / Sophie Lampert / Marcel Wich (2024)
Discussion Paper 17/2024

Economic development and barriers to (decent) work for women in SSA and MENA

Stöcker, Alexander / Tina Zintl (2024)
Discussion Paper 16/2024

We discuss barriers to female employment against three labour market transitions (to wage employment, decent work, and specialized jobs) and compare them for women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regions.

Impact du crédit agricole direct de la Banque Nationale de Développement Agricole du Mali: rapport d’étude

Sagbo, N. Sheila / Lacina Traoré / Youssouf Fofana / Michael Brüntrup (2024)
Discussion Paper 15/2024

This study is an impact evaluation of the agricultural credits of BNDA, the largest provider of such services in Mali. It reveals modest positive impacts on many dimensions of farmers' wellbeing, some specifically for women.

Private sector mobilisation: turning a pipe dream into reality

Zattler, Jürgen K. (2024)
Discussion Paper 14/2024

Achieving the SDGs will necessitate unprecedented levels of private investment, particularly in developing countries. This paper builds on existing proposals and outlines how shareholders can take these forward in the boardrooms of national and, in particular, international development banks.

The Group of 77 and global dialogue in the United Nations General Assembly

Baumann, Max-Otto / Anna Novoselova / Javier Surasky / Philipp Schönrock (2024)
Discussion Paper 13/2024

How does the Group of 77 reach decisions in the face internal diversity, limited diplomatic capacity and influence from China and others? How does it contribute to shaping North-South-Relations in the UN? How could reforms look like? Based on interviews with UN delegates, we suggest answers.

Challenges for food subsidy reform: lessons learnt from the Just Distribution of Subsidies Scheme in Iran

Tajmazinani, Ali Akbar (2024)
Discussion Paper 12/2024

This paper analyses the recent reform of food subsidies in Iran. It finds that the design, timing and implementation of the reform undermined its success: The framework was ignored, the impact of inflation was not considered, there were shortcomings in implementation and transparency was poor.

The European Union’s global role in a changing world: challenges and opportunities for the new leadership

Hackenesch, Christine / Niels Keijzer / Svea Koch (eds.) (2024)
Discussion Paper 11/2024

This collective IDOS Discussion Paper seeks to inform the incoming EU leadership and member state capitals about the EU’s role in a changing world, main internal and external influences, as well as the prospects and expected challenges in the new legislative period.

Exploring the influence of power on the governance of climate im/mobility in Accra and Dakar

Ekoh, Susan S. (2024)
Discussion Paper 10/2024

Climate change is increasingly impacting im/mobility of people in the urban context. As diverse actors collaborate to address human mobility in cities, it is important to examine the role of power in these multi-level governance efforts.

The New South: breaking with the past: West-South engagement in a changing world

Ishmael, Len (2024)
Discussion Paper 9/2024

As the world continues to fracture into different blocs, a new world order is in the making. Some even argue that a new Cold War has commenced. Countries of the South are adding more muscle to the G20, and an array of non-western groupings are gaining momentum, forging a new identity: The New South

Operationalising social contracts: towards an index of government deliverables

Loewe, Markus / Amirah El-Haddad / Tina Zintl (2024)
Discussion Paper 8/2024

We introduce, describe and test three indices to measure government deliverables in social contracts (protection, provision and participation) and to compare social contracts over time and space.

Wie bedingen sich Rechenschaftslegung und organisationales Lernen in der deutschen Entwicklungszusammenarbeit?

Esser, Daniel E. / Heiner Janus (2024)
Discussion Paper 7/2024

Das Papier analysiert die deutschen Entwicklungsorganisationen, GIZ und KfW Entwicklungsbank, in Hinblick auf den Zusammenhang zwischen Rechenschaftsplicht und organisationalem Lernen.

Green hydrogen in Namibia: opportunities and risks

Altenburg, Tilmann / Anne Kantel (2024)
Discussion Paper 6/2024

Namibia hopes to benefit from green hydrogen markets. We assess the related opportunities and risks. If offtake agreements materialise, export revenues may be substantial. Job and industrial development effects will remain limited. How public revenues are used will determine development outcomes.

Universality in action: why and how United Nations development work should engage with high-income countries

Baumann, Max-Otto / Sebastian Haug (2024)
Discussion Paper 5/2024

The paper makes the case for universality in United Nations development work. It argues that the UN has an important role to play in promoting sustainable development across all member states, including in high-income countries. Ideas are proposed how that role could look like practically.

Transnational cooperation – an explorative collection

Grimm, Sven / Stephan Klingebiel (Eds.) (2024)
Discussion Paper 4/2024

This collection pursues the questions of where and how transnational cooperation proves to be effective for transformational policy-making towards the global common good. It exploratively builds on examples from IDOS research and knowledge cooperation.

The role of the consumer and systemic policy mixes for circular business models in the EU

Fuhrmann-Riebel, Hanna (2024)
Discussion Paper 3/2024

What role do consumers play for the transition to a circular economy (CE) and the development of circular business models (CBMs) in particular? Hanna Fuhrmann-Riebel zooms in on potential consumer barriers to CBM demand and discusses different options for policy making to address those barriers.

Information integrity and information pollution: vulnerabilities and impact on social cohesion and democracy in Mexico

Breuer, Anita (2024)
Discussion Paper 2/2024

This discussion paper analyses factors that enable and drive societal vulnerability towards information pollution in Mexico. It formulates national and international level recommendations to counter information pollution and mitigate its negative impacts on social cohesion and democracy.

Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) and the “greening” of high-emitting industry sectors in Brazil: mapping the sustainability efforts of the private sector

Thorstensen, Vera / Ariel Macaspac Hernandez / Rogerio de Oliveira Corrêa / Dolores Teixeira de Brito / Mauro Kiithi Arima Junior / Catherine Rebouças Mota / Tiago Matsuoka Megale / Amanda Mitsue Zuchieri / Fabio Jorge Thomazella (2024)
Discussion Paper 1/2024

Brazil seeks a global leadership that is compatible with its national identity. Its “pragmatism” is evident both in its multilateral efforts and its approach towards sustainability, particularly in the greening of its high emitting industry sectors – aluminium, chemical, steel, cement and oil & gas.