Concept
Bardhan and Mookherjee (2000) argued decentralisation brings government closer to citizens but can raise capture risk as local elites dominate. Capture works much like clientelism and rent-seeking.
Community-driven development
Mansuri and Rao (2004; 2013) found educated, well-connected people often dominate participatory projects. Platteau (2004) noted that donor pressure for results hampers monitoring, and Bardhan and Mookherjee (2006) showed local inequality reduced allocations to the poor in West Bengal.
Alternative views and remedies
Dasgupta and Beard (2007) distinguished benign elite control from capture, and Fritzen (2007) found monitoring and transparency features reduce capture. Central oversight, part of state capacity, also matters.
FAQ
- What is elite capture in simple terms?
- Benefits meant for the poor or a community going to a powerful few instead.
- How can it be reduced?
- Transparency, community monitoring, clear targeting and higher-level oversight help.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-26
References
- Bardhan, P., & Mookherjee, D. (2000). Capture and governance at local and national levels. American Economic Review, 90(2), 135–139. Capture at local versus national levels.
- Mansuri, G., & Rao, V. (2004). Community-based and -driven development: A critical review. The World Bank Research Observer, 19(1), 1–39. Review of community-driven development.
- Platteau, J.-P. (2004). Monitoring elite capture in community-driven development. Development and Change, 35(2), 223–246. Monitoring capture in aid projects.
- Bardhan, P., & Mookherjee, D. (2006). Pro-poor targeting and accountability of local governments in West Bengal. Journal of Development Economics, 79(2), 303–327. Evidence from West Bengal.
- Dasgupta, A., & Beard, V. A. (2007). Community driven development, collective action and elite capture in Indonesia. Development and Change, 38(2), 229–249. Elite control versus capture in Indonesia.
- Fritzen, S. A. (2007). Can the design of community-driven development reduce the risk of elite capture? Evidence from Indonesia. World Development, 35(8), 1359–1375. Design features that reduce capture.
- Mansuri, G., & Rao, V. (2013). Localizing development: Does participation work? World Bank. Broad evaluation of participatory development.