{style}background-color:#EED587; font-size:14pt; border: solid 1px #222222; padding: 0.6em;{style} DoC analysis suggests that there is a universal law of politics: __POLITICAL SURVIVAL__. Different meaning in developed countries than in most developing countries. In developed countries: * Political institutions with a high degree of accountability and change of transfer of power through regular and fair elections. * Strong incentive to deliver effective services and economic benefits to please electorate and win next election. * Tradition and mechanisms for smooth transfer of power. * Political office is not a route to self-enrichment. In many developing countries: * Widespread poverty and limited opportunities for wealth accumulation - political power, and the control over state resources, is often the only route to wealth. * High stakes and powerful incentives for power holders to retain power with whatever means they can. Alternative is often poverty for them and their political supporters. * Once in power political priorities will only represent those issues and actions for which politicians judge that the balance of risks and incentives have moved in their favour and that will contribute to their political survival. * Political calculation: risks of neglecting the needs of the poor are low in relation to the economic gains from maintaining the status quo. \\ {story:Patrimonialism - Slide 9|label= Next slide|type=link} \\ {story:Key Findings of 'Drivers of Change' Studies - Slide 6|label=Previous slide|type=link} \\ Link to [The Politics of Survival] story