The Comparative and International Policy programme considers how different countries have dealt with building effective and accountable institutions and what might be relevant to the New South.

The NSI assesses the impact of current policies with a view to propose better ways of managing borders and migration in South Africa and on the African continent.

Sustaining democracy in fragile democracies, depends on bringing the police and intelligence services under democratic control. The NSI researches these organisations to understand what needs to change and how to do it.

State Capture is a political phenomenon that has derailed several promising transitions to democracy. It describes the establishment of oligarchic regimes behind the scenes of democracy.

To deal with the legacy of state capture and with corruption the NSI works on better insulating public officials from inappropriate political interference and on building accountable administrations staffed meritocratically.

The NSI conducts studies on welfare reform in South Africa and in the New South to improve current systems so that they provide more inclusive coverage that is also institutionally effective and affordable.