Purpose: This paper aims to compare the implementation of public private partnership (PPP) in Western and non-Western countries by analyzing several predetermined aspects such as government and political system, PPP s model of agreement, political commitment and the role of PPP supporting unit. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses comparative case studies to compare the implementation of PPP in seven Western and non-Western countries by using various appropriate data such as frequently used agreements, government systems, political commitments and PPP-supporting units to understand the extent of differences in the success of PPP implementation found in each country. Findings: The results reveal that the implementation of PPPs in Western and non-Western countries do not significantly differ, except for in the instance of political commitments. Political interventions in PPP implementation still frequently occurred in non-Western countries, which consequently disrupted the implementation of PPP itself. Originality/value: Previous comparison of PPP studies only focused on the implementation of PPP without analyzing the political context in each country. One of the contributions that this paper will bring to the conversations around PPP is that the implementation of PPP will be analyzed with regard to political contexts. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.