The regime changes in the Arab world – in particular, Tunisia and Egypt – and the process of economic and political reform initiated in Myanmar have renewed international interest in transitions from authoritarian to democratic rule. This paper asserts that with clearer analysis and understanding of previous experiences of transitions, the challenges and  opportunities that current transitions present could be better approached and supported.  

This paper was intended to provide comparative analysis and a basis for discussion for the Conference “The Political Economy of Transitions – Analysis for Change”, jointly organized by the UNDP Oslo Governance Centre (OGC) and the Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre (NOREF) on 8-9 November 2012.The purpose of the conference was to stimulate dialogue between practitioners,academics, and policy-makers on key issues related to recent and ongoing transitions. It was also to inform the policy-making and policy advice provided by civil society and international actors on the ground.