Browsing by Author "Strand, Per"

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    Comparing AIDS governance: a research agenda on responses to the AIDS epidemic
    (Ashgate, 2007) Strand, Per; Poku, Nana K; Whiteside, Alan; Sandkjaer, Bjorg
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    Comparing AIDS governance: a research agenda on responses to the AIDS epidemic
    (2007) Strand, Per
    The main argument in this paper is a call for empirical and comparative research to improve our understanding of which form of governance is most effective in reversing the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The notion of 'AIDS Governance' should not, as in much of the current literature, be a postulated ideal but a variable that, potentially, can help explain why some responses are more effective than others. Democratic governments, it is argued, can respond through one of two forms of AIDS Governance. An 'idealistic' response will maximise human rights, accountability and participation since such democratic ideals are understood to increase and ensure the effectiveness of the response. An 'authoritative' response will limit one or more of the democratic ideals with the argument that such limitations will enable the government to respond more effectively in the interest of public health. While AIDS is too complex a problem for any clever governance quick-fix, the suggested research agenda on AIDS Governance has the potential to generate new knowledge of which forms of AIDS Governance are better equipped at tackling different aspects of the response or phases of the epidemic. The paper represents an effort to strengthen the contribution by Political Science in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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    The impact of foreign aid on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-saharan Africa
    (2007) Kinney, Mary; Mattes, Robert; Strand, Per
    Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-79).
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    Making accountability work for the AIDS response
    (2011) Strand, Per
    Though ‘democratic AIDS governance’ has become the norm for the political governance of the AIDS response, it presents a dilemma that is likely to undermine the effectiveness and political sustainability of the response. By showing the kind of political leadership that would strengthen the HIV prevention agenda in Eastern and Southern Africa, elected politicians become vulnerable to the political populism that feeds on discrimination and denial in society, to the detriment of the AIDS response. We need to better understand how this governance dilemma plays out in different contexts and develop ideas for how to structure political incentives so that championing AIDS becomes a sustainable strategy to win and uphold political power.
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    Politics and policy outcomes on children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa
    (IDS Bulletin, 2008) Strand, Per; Kinney, Mary; Mattes, Robert
    Global agencies working for children affected by AIDS have recently reported some progress (UNAIDS 2008). Year by year, more HIV-positive pregnant women receive medication to avoid infecting their unborn babies, increasing numbers of children in late stages of HIV infection receive antiretroviral treatment (ART), and a higher proportion of affected children enjoy some form of social protection and schooling. However, while all this is good news, countries still fail to provide basic services to the majority of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the context of AIDS. Clearly, all stakeholders need to do more to protect children from the effects of AIDS. But how can this be done? A dominant discourse suggests that governance and politics can provide leverage to a more effective response.