Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes how the regulatory scope of post-Cold War interventions has burgeoned as the policy focus changed from formal state institutions to informal social milieu and from technical assistance and material resource transfers to capacity-building and empowerment. It establishes the discursive context of neo-institutionalism, positioning it within a paradigm break with liberal universalism. The book deals with Merida's 'shared responsibility' discourse and the way in which it calls upon policymakers to constantly improve institution-building policy. It discusses the widespread critique of the 'War on Drugs' as an ineffective and counterproductive policy doctrine. The book also deals with neo-institutionalism as an external regulatory practice in the Merida Initiative. It focuses on neo-institutionalism as an interventionary policy framework. The book criticizes the Culture of Lawfulness programme which is aimed at the socio-cultural preconditions of good governance.