Development economics Books

Book SynopsisThis book enlarges the understanding of decision-making on mega-projects and suggest recommendations for a more effective, efficient and democratic approach. Authors from different scientific disciplines address various aspects of the decision-making process, such as management characteristics and cost-benefit analysis, planning and innovation and competition and institutions. The subject matter is highly diverse, but certain questions remain at the forefront. For example, how do we deal with protracted preparation processes, how do we tackle risks and uncertainties, and how can we best divide the risks and responsibilities among the private and public players throughout the different phases of the project?Presenting a state-of-the-art overview, based on experiences and visions of authors from Europe and North America, this unique book will be of interest to practitioners of large-scale project management, politicians, public officials and private organisations involved in mega-project decision-making. It will also appeal to researchers, consultants and students dealing with substantial engineering projects, complex systems, project management and transport infrastructure.Trade Review'It will be useful for those experienced and senior professionals who are charged with authorizing and controlling projects. Recommended.' -- P.F. Rad, Choice'Building on the seminal work of Bent Flyvbjerg, this book is a collection of expert contributions that will prove essential to anyone wanting to understand why mega-projects go wrong and how they can be made to work better.' -- Professor Sir Peter Hall, University College London, UK'This book offers a refreshing and fascinating look at mega-projects from the perspective of public evaluation and planning. With the changing role of the public sector in planning and implementing large-scale projects and a subsequent strong emergence of private-public modes of operation, mega-projects have become a problematic phenomenon. This volume is a major source of information and reference. It provides the reader with unique insights and caveats in mega-projects planning.' -- Peter Nijkamp, VU University Amsterdam, The NetherlandsTable of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction: Scope of the Book Hugo Priemus, Bent Flyvbjerg and Bert van Wee PART I: MANAGEMENT CHARACTERISTICS AND COST–BENEFIT ANALYSIS 2. Management Characteristics of Mega-Projects Hans de Bruijn and Martijn Leijten 3. Ex-ante Evaluation of Mega-Projects: Methodological Issues and Cost–Benefit Analysis Bert van Wee and Lóránt A. Tavasszy 4. Cost–Benefit Analysis and the Wider Economic Benefits from Mega- Projects Roger W. Vickerman 5. Mega-Projects and Contested Information Hans de Bruijn and Martijn Leijten PART II: PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING 6. How to Improve the Early Stages of Decision-making on Mega- Projects? Hugo Priemus 7. Public Planning of Mega-Projects: Overestimation of Demand and Underestimation of Costs Bent Flyvbjerg 8. Evolving Strategy: Risk Management and the Shaping of Mega- Projects Roger Miller and Donald R. Lessard 9. How to Overcome Major Weaknesses in Mega-Projects? The Norwegian Approach Knut Samset 10. Public–Private Partnership and Mega-Projects Joop Koppenjan PART III: INNOVATION, COMPETITION AND INSTITUTIONS 11. Innovations in the Planning of Mega-Projects Werner Rothengatter 12. The Cost of the Technological Sublime: Daring Ingenuity and the New San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge Karen Trapenberg Frick 13. Provision and Management of Dedicated Railway Systems: How to Arrange Competition Didier van de Velde and Ernst F. ten Heuvelhof 14. Rail Infrastructure at Major European Hub Airports: The Role of Institutional Settings Moshe Givoni and Piet Rietveld 15. Drawing Institutional Lessons Across Countries on Making Transport Infrastructure Policy W. Martin de Jong Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisChina accounts for around one-eighth of the world's grassland and almost all of its grasslands are being degraded. The authors analyse how China is grappling with the complex ecological and livelihood problems these pastoral areas present. The sustainable development of these extremely poor, culturally sensitive, strategically important and extremely diverse western pastoral areas poses one of the foremost challenges confronting the Chinese government. This much-needed study provides a unique examination of the intricate web of policies and institutions that now impact on grassland degradation and sustainable development in China's pastoral region. Understanding this complex matrix and its impact on the management of people, livestock, grasslands, markets and industry structures is crucial in charting a way forward. The authors argue that the aim should be to manage these inter-locking complex systems in a manner that takes advantage of the opportunities that technology present to achieve sustainable use of the grasslands.Whilst their analysis is especially relevant to how China pursues the high priority national goal of 'Developing the West', it also reveals much about how China addresses other serious environmental problems that involve disadvantaged groups.With its multi-disciplinary approach, the book will be invaluable and fascinating reading for academics and researchers of Chinese studies, development studies, ecosystem sustainability and natural resource management. Based on extensive first-hand fieldwork in the grasslands over two decades, the practical detail in this book will also be warmly welcomed by consultants and officials in NGOs and other international agencies charged with planning and executing pastoral development projects in China, Central Asia and Mongolia.Trade Review'. . . the book provides much useful and current information about the array of policies, programs, laws, and legislation that relate to grassland management in pastoral areas.' -- Irene Bain, Mountain Research and Development'. . . this will be an indispensable reference for scholars as well as development practitioners and policymakers interested in agricultural economics, animal husbandry, livestock product markets, rangeland management, bureaucratic organization and policy implementation in China. . . it will surely become a must-read for anyone planning to conduct research or project work on sustainable development in western China.' -- Emily T. Yeh, The China JournalTable of ContentsContents: Preface 1. Romance, Reality and Reformation of China’s Grasslands 2. Grassland Systems and Challenges 3. Managing Institutions 4. Managing Grassland Policies 5. Managing Structures 6. Managing Livestock Systems 7. Managing Markets 8. Managing People 9. Unique Problems — Unique Solutions References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book increases our knowledge of innovation policy by combining quantitative and qualitative assessments of innovation systems, and by adopting a progressive outlook on the conditions for an innovative Europe of tomorrow. Based on the latest developments in innovation research, the authors aim to draw practical and workable conclusions for policymakers. The first part of the book discusses the use of indicators to inform policy- making, progressively shifting emphasis from traditional to less traditional measures and from the national to the regional dimension. The second part investigates the internal dynamics of policy-making and explores the conditions to improve the effectiveness of innovation policies in Europe. New developments and challenges for the future are identified throughout, including the crucial problem of how to align existing institutions with potential challenges. In this way the book clearly demonstrates how the quality of policy governance will become an increasingly important driver for innovation performance of knowledge societies in Europe. The book will have considerable appeal to innovation policymakers, and will also be of interest to academics and researchers working on innovation and knowledge systems.Trade Review'. . . the book contributes to the understanding of innovation policy-making by identifying a number of new developments and challenges, which, together, help to define the way towards future innovation policies in Europe.' -- Jon Mikel Zabala-Iturriagagoitia, Science and Public PolicyTable of ContentsContents: Introduction PART I: INFORMING INNOVATION POLICY: MEASUREMENT ISSUES 1. Innovation Surveys and Policy: Lessons from the CIS Anthony Arundel, Cati Bordoy, Pierre Mohnen and Keith Smith 2. Innovation Scoreboards: Indicators and Policy Use Anthony Arundel and Hugo Hollanders 3. Benchmarking Regions in the Enlarged Europe: Diversity in Knowledge Potential and Policy Options Theo Dunnewijk, Hugo Hollanders and René Wintjes 4. How do Social Capital and Government Support Affect Innovation and Growth? Evidence from the EU Regional Support Programmes Semih Akçomak and Bas ter Weel PART II: IMPROVING INNOVATION POLICY: STRATEGIC ISSUES 5. Innovation Governance in Dynamic Economies: Lessons from the OECD MONIT Project Svend Otto Remøe 6. Innovation Policy for the Environment in the Netherlands and the EU Albert Faber, René Kemp and Geert van der Veen 7. Priority Setting in Technology Policy: Historical Developments and Recent Trends Helmut Gassler, Wolfgang Polt and Christian Rammer 8. Innovation Policy, Innovation in Policy: Policy Learning Within and Across Systems and Clusters Claire Nauwelaers and René Wintjes 9. Innovation Policy in a Post-Lisbon Europe: Some Reflections Luc Soete Conclusions and Perspectives: Adapting Old Policy Instruments to New Challenges Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book addresses a number of important topics and issues associated with China's economic transition, growth and global integration. The chapters, by a distinguished group of scholars, provide a timely assessment of recent developments in the Chinese economy. The authors employ contemporary economic theory and the latest statistics to analyze the sources and spillover effects of China's growth, to investigate the relationship between growth and business cycle, and to shed light on China's growth prospects in the coming decade. In the context of growth, transition and globalization, the chapters also cover issues such as labour economics, urban efficiency, banking and macroeconomic management.Economic Growth, Transition and Globalization in China is a highly focused and unique work of direct policy relevance and is aimed at an international audience. It is an invaluable combination of rigorous theoretical work and empirical material.This timely book should be an important reference for researchers and students of Asian studies, and the Chinese economy, in particular. It will also appeal to business analysts.Table of ContentsContents: Preface 1. Introduction Yanrui Wu PART I: ECONOMIC GROWTH AND OUTLOOK 2. Sources of Growth Nazrul Islam, Erbiao Dai and Hiroshi Sakamoto 3. Inter-Regional Output Spillovers Nicolaas Groenewold, Guoping Lee and Anping Chen 4. Business Cycle and Growth Yanrui Wu 5. Growth Prospect During 2005–2020 Shantong Li, Yongzhi Hou, Yunzhong Liu and Jianwu He PART II: URBAN ECONOMY, MIGRATION AND LABOUR MARKET 6. Performance of City Economies Yuk-shing Cheng and Sung-ko Li 7. Rural Migrants and Public Security Ingrid Nielsen and Russell Smyth 8. Job-Matching Efficiency Sheng Yu PART III: BANKING, EXCHANGE RATES AND GLOBALIZATION 9. Banking Reform and Macroeconomic Management Michael Thorpe 10. The Exchange Rate Debate James Laurenceson and Fengming Qin 11. Globalization and Economic Development Abu Siddique Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisChange manifests itself in all facets of the economy. This important collection of previously published essays illustrates how the evolutionary approach can reveal not only where change comes from, and how it happens, but also where it will lead. The Evolving Economy covers a broad spectrum of issues ranging from the biological foundations of economic behavior to the co-evolution of firms, markets, and institutions. Ulrich Witt's individualistic approach synthesizes elements familiar from the writings of Veblen and Schumpeter on economic evolution. A conceptual debate on what the notion of evolution means in the economic context is as much emphasized as is the discussion of concrete hypotheses explaining why and how evolutionary economic change comes about.Offering an outline of a paradigm focusing on endogenous economic change, this book will be of great interest to economists and economic historians. Sociologists, philosophers and anthropologists will also find this work invaluable as it presents an encompassing assessment of the role of Darwinian thought for understanding human behavior and societal evolution.Trade Review'This is a genuine tour de force and what must be acknowledged by anyone who has followed the evolution of evolutionary economics since the early 1980s is the original, pioneering nature of these essays and the ideas they contain. . . These essays are a pleasure to read and to reflect on at leisure. Many, like this reviewer, will recognise that Ulrich Witt has followed the path of novelty in these essays and that in relation to much of our present understanding of evolutionary economics he has exercised enterprise and leadership. . . The best acknowledgement that we can give Witt's enterprise is to continue to follow along the path marked out by these essays and extend the evolutionary perspective into new channels of economic and social experience.' -- Stan Metcalfe, Journal of Bioeconomics'Together, these papers underline Ulrich Witt's well-deserved status as one of the leading and most innovative of evolutionary economists in the world today. . . The book is a worthy monument to the scientific contribution of its author over a period of seventeen years. It shows a lively, enquiring and evolving mind, from which we expect much in the future.' -- Geoffrey M. Hodgson, Journal of Evolutionary Economics'Economics is more than economising and maximising subject to a fixed-resources constraint. It is also the study of evolutionary processes and innovation-led search. Ulrich Witt musters an extensive knowledge of the economics of development and change in the essays collected together in this book. Building on authors such as Schumpeter and Hayek but contributing his own theoretical insights on biology, games, constitutions, progress, he demonstrates convincingly that economics can be a humanitarian discipline and a kaleidoscope of surprise.' -- David Reisman, University of Surrey, UK and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore'In this collection, we find the germs of an evolutionary theory of economic systems based firmly on the most solid elements of economic theory. This is not short praise, since mainstream economics often ignores issues discussed here. As the articles, due to their topics, have not appeared in large circulation journals so far, this book is a most welcome addition to the library of any scholar grappling with the difficulties of understanding economic change. The book should stimulate the ongoing discussion on issues of transformation, but also, in the context of globalisation, the problems of institutional and system change which this process necessitates.' -- Jurgen G. Backhaus, Erfurt University, GermanyTable of ContentsContents: Preface Part I: Introduction 1. Evolutionary Economics and the Extension of Evolution to the Economy Part II: Evolutionary Concepts and Methodology 2. Emergence and Dissemination of Innovation: Some Principles of Evolutionary Economics 3. Evolutionary Concepts in Economics 4. Coordination of Individual Economic Activities as an Evolving Process of Self-Organization 5. Firms’ Market Behavior Under Imperfect Information and Economic Natural Selection 6. “Lock-in” vs. “Critical Masses” – Industrial Change Under Network Externalities Part III: The Darwinian Perspective and the Continuity Hypothesis 7. Bioeconomics as Economics from a Darwinian Perspective 8. Economics, Sociobiology, and Behavioral Psychology on Preferences 9. Economic Behavior and Biological Evolution: Some Remarks on the Sociobiology Debate 10. Self-Organization and Economics – What is New? Part IV: Evolution in the Context of New Institutional Economics and Public Choice 11. The Evolution of Economic Institutions as a Propagation Process 12. The Endogenous Public Choice Theorist 13. Multiple Equilibria, Critical Masses, and Institutional Change. The Coup d’état Problem 14. Evolution and Stability of Cooperation Without Enforceable Contracts 15. Between Appeasement and Belligerent Moralism: The Evolution of Moral Conduct in International Politics 16. Innovations, Externalities and the Problem of Economic Progress Part V: The Evolutionary Approach and the Austrian School of Economics 17. Subjectivism in Economics – A Suggested Reorientation 18. Endogenous Change – Causes and Contingencies 19. Turning Austrian Economics into an Evolutionary Theory 20. Do Entrepreneurs Need Firms? A Contribution to a Missing Chapter in Austrian Economics Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA decade and a half since the Philippines embarked on a major program of decentralization, the authors of this book have undertaken a detailed examination of all aspects of the nation's regional dynamics and policies. Their analysis extends to comparable experiences in East Asia, particularly China and Indonesia. The lessons of this book are relevant not only for an audience interested in the Philippines - a large developing nation with a population soon to exceed 100 million people - but also for many other developing countries now embarking on decentralization programs. The book therefore has broad international appeal.The contributors focus on three main issues: Centre-region relations. While the decentralization program in the Philippines has been reasonably successful, they argue there is an urgent need for a clear, predictable, and stable regulatory environment that governs centre-region administrative and financial relations. Infrastructure. This is arguably the most important policy tool in shaping regional development patterns, yet decision-makers are rarely able to develop these investments on the basis of a coherent and integrated policy framework. The conflict in Mindanao. This deep and protracted conflict must be resolved for the benefit of the local and national population. This enlightening and topical book will appeal to postgraduate students of economic development, regional development/science, rural development, and Asian Studies. It will also attract the interest of researchers and practitioners in international development agencies, NGOs, and policymakers and legislators in developing countries.Trade Review'Balisacan and Hill have assembled several excellent contributions. . . The editors and contributing authors of this book document the story of regional development in great detail. . . with analytical clarity and a pleasing uniformity of style, making for a readable and very coherent volume overall. . . It is a must-read for all students of that country's economy, and for all who seek to understand better the regional implications of growth, policy, and devolution in low-income economies.' -- Ian Coxhead, The Developing Economies'Arsenio Balisacan and Hal Hill have edited a must-read volume of 13 essays that extract the results and relevant lessons of Philippine regional development amid decentralization and globalization.' -- Roberto de Vera, Journal of Regional Science'By focusing on a systematic analysis of the regional dimension, Professors Arsenio Balisacan and Hal Hill (with the help of other economists) succeed in presenting a definitive update of Philippine regional economic developments. This work is an indispensable sequel and complement to their earlier work on Philippine economic problems, which focused on national economic issues.' -- Gerardo P. Sicat, University of the Philippines'This volume integrates four of the "hottest" themes in current development debates - globalization, decentralization, inequality and governance. By combining a broad East Asian perspective on these four topics with a deep analysis of the Philippines experience, the editors get the very best out of their comparative research framework. This is not your typical edited volume, with only an occasional gem amongst the filler - the entire volume really holds together. Hill and Balisacan have clearly exercised a firm analytical and editorial hand, demonstrating, as does the analysis in the book, that firm, competent central leadership is crucial for decentralization to work.' -- Peter Timmer, Center for Global Development, USTable of ContentsContents: Foreword Preface The Philippine Regions, 1987 The Philippine Regions, 2003 1. The Philippines and Regional Development Hal Hill, Arsenio M. Balisacan and Sharon Faye A. Piza PART I: EAST ASIA AND BEYOND 2. Globalization, Geography and Regional Policy John Weiss 3. Regional Development: Analytical and Policy Issues Hal Hill 4. The East Asian Experience: The People’s Republic of China Ligang Song 5. The East Asian Experience: Indonesia Budy P. Resosudarmo and Yogi Vidyattama PART II: THE PHILIPPINES 6. Local Politics and Local Economy Emmanuel S. de Dios 7. The Quality of Local Governance and Development under Decentralization Joseph J. Capuno 8. Regional Labour Markets and Economic Development in the Philippines Emmanuel F. Esguerra and Chris Manning 9. Decentralization and the Financing of Regional Development Rosario G. Manasan 10. Infrastructure and Regional Growth Gilberto M. Llanto 11. Development of the Rural Non-farm Sector in the Philippines and Lessons from the East Asian Experience Jonna P. Estudillo, Tetsushi Sonobe and Keijiro Otsuka 12. Regional Responses to Trade Liberalization and Economic Decentralization Gwendolyn R. Tecson 13. Local Growth and Poverty Reduction Arsenio M. Balisacan References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisMarket Development in China presents the analysis of leading specialists on the causes, benefits and problems resulting from China's transition to a market economy. As the authors illustrate, it is generally recognized that in the last 25 years China has achieved a rate of economic growth unmatched in any of the world's major countries. However, this growth has been unequally shared, so that by the year 2000, China also exhibited what to many observers was an alarming degree of income inequality at individual, sectoral, and regional levels.This books deals with several facets of China's spectacular economic growth and its rising income inequality. It is shown that geographical and sectoral distribution of social services has increased the degree of inequality among Chinese households. On the positive side though, there is evidence that regionalization of commodity markets has decreased, promoting pricing equality, which is surely a cornerstone of income equality. Analysis is also presented on regional technology spillovers, rural-urban labor migration, and the relationship between FDI and the ability of state-owned enterprises to cope with the pressures of hard budget constraints. The book provides updated evidence on China's social and economic inequalities and their causes.The contributions make up a cohesive and valuable study that will appeal to scholars and researchers at many levels of academe in the fields of economics, Asian studies - and Chinese studies in particular - as well as development economists.Trade Review'This book. . . presents the most insightful and comprehensive examination of current Chinese market development. . . The book is designed for use in a wide-range of studies on Chinese economic development, especially in market development, technology diffusion as well as education inequality. Each independent paper delivers a different research field, so it has wide appeal. Students and scholars who are studying or conducting research on Chinese economic development will find this book of particular interest.' -- Jiandong Chen, Journal of the Asia Pacific EconomyTable of ContentsContents: Introduction PART I: INEQUALITY IN CHINA 1. Measuring the Poverty Lines for Urban Households in China: An Equivalence Scale Method Zhihong Chen 2. Geography and Educational Inequality in China Emily Hannum and Meiyan Wang 3. Spatial Inequality in Education and Health Care in China Xiaobo Zhang and Ravi Kanbur 4. From a Welfare to a Mixed-Plural Education System: Chinese Welfare, Education and Investment in Human Capital Gongcheng Zheng PART II: MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND SOURCES OF GROWTH 5. Political Economy of Labor Retrenchment: Evidence Based on China’s State-Owned Enterprises Yifan Hu, Sonja Opper and Sonia M.L. Wong 6. The Emergence of Agricultural Commodity Markets in China Jikun Huang and Scott Rozelle 7. Economic Transition and Demand Pattern: Evidence from China’s Paper and Paperboard Industry Haizheng Li, Jifeng Lou and Patrick McCarthy 8. Export Composition and Technology Spillovers in China: An Empirical Study Based on the Extended Feder Model Helian Hu, Qun Bao and Mingyong Lai 9. Technology Spillovers, Absorptive Capacity and Economic Growth Mingyong Lai, Shuijun Peng, and Qun Bao 10. Productivity Spillovers from FDI: Detrimental or Beneficial? A Study of Chinese Manufacturing Sarah Y. Tong and Youxin Hu 11. Rural–Urban Migration and Wage Determination: The Case of Tianjin, China Zhigang Lu and Shunfeng Song 12. The Role of Home-Market Effects on China’s Domestic Production Fan Zhang and Zuohong Pan Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisDeregulation and its Discontents examines the different ways in which the issues related to deregulation and reregulation have been addressed in Asia.The role of government in business has gone through distinct, if overlapping, cycles: regulation, deregulation and reregulation. However, little is known about deregulation and even less about reregulation, particularly in relation to Asia. The contributors to this book examine the links between the cycles through detvailed analyses of the electricity market, pensions and stock markets in the Asia Pacific. They also offer an explanation of regulatory cycles. This unique and inter-disciplinary book is thoroughly accessible and will be suitable for specialist as well as non-specialist readers. It will appeal to academics and researchers of public sector economics, Asian studies - and the political economy of Asia in particular - as well as public officials dealing with regulatory issues.Trade Review'. . . an extremely interesting collection, full of insights and institutional detail. . . The book definitely deserves the attention of those interested in one of the most debated issues of the last 20 years in economics and political science.' -- Herb Thompson, Journal of Contemporary AsiaTable of ContentsContents: 1. Preface: The Evolution of De/Reregulation Michael Howlett and M. Ramesh PART I: INTRODUCTION: GOVERNANCE AND GLOBALIZATION 2. Governance Crisis in Asia: Developing a Responsive Regulation Anil Hira 3. Globalisation and National Regulations: Race to the Bottom, Top, and Middle M. Ramesh PART II: DEREGULATION AND ITS DISCONTENTS: CASES IN EAST ASIAN REGULATORY REFORM 4. Power’s Promise: Electricity Reforms in Eastern Europe and Central Asia J.A. Lampietti, S.G. Banerjee, J. Ebinger, M. Shkaratan, G. Sargsyan, I. Klytchnikova and K. van den Berg 5. Privatization and Regulation of Competition in the Electricity Sector Lucas A. Skoufa 6. Independent Power Producers in Indonesia and the Philippines Xun Wu and Priyambudi Sulistiyanto 7. Power Sector Deregulation and the Environment: Evidence from the Philippines and Thailand Jessie L. Todoc 8. Governance and Regulation of Provident and Pension Funds in Asia Mukul G. Asher and Amarendu Nandy 9. Regulation and Deregulation of the Stock Market in India Ashima Goyal PART III: POLICY DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR REGULATORY REFORM 10. Design Principles for Smart Regulations Neil Gunningham and Darren Sinclair 11. Universal Service, and the Transition from State Control to State-Monitored Competition Jon M. Peha 12. Conclusion: The De/Reregulatory Cycle: Learning and Spill-over Effects in Regulatory Policy-Making Michael Howlett Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisHossein Askari argues here that economic and social failure in the oil-exporting countries of the Middle East is a result of much more than simply shortcomings in economic policies. He analyzes religion, corruption, instability, wars and foreign interference as factors affecting the region and offers solutions that incorporate Islamic teachings, regional peace efforts, market-oriented economic policies, sound institutions and unselfish policy support from the West.Middle East Oil Exporters presents a detailed picture of the economic structure and a critical survey of the recent economic performance of the Middle East. The focus is especially on the large oil-exporting nations, although the smaller producers are represented as well. The author illustrates how oil has become a crutch to avoid reforms, destroying the work ethic of the region, fuelling corruption and poisoning the social and cultural fabric of society to keep unpopular governments in power. In addition, he provides a view of the social, economic, and political implications of Islamic doctrine. In this context he examines the institutions of governance and determines that they have performed poorly, often in blatant violation of Islamic principles. This in-depth analysis is accompanied by a comprehensive prescription for a turnaround in the Middle East.Hossein Askari's unique and insightful critique is essential reading for students and scholars of the Middle East, as well as policymakers involved in the region. Executives of financial institutions and private corporations will also want to understand the region for their energy needs and as a market for their products and services.Trade Review'This volume is unique and unprecedented in the way that it ties together various political and economic dimensions to draw a picture of the future Middle East scenarios. It gives us a far-reaching analysis of the reasons underlying economic conditions in the major oil-exporting countries of the Middle East. It also provides a comprehensive and positive blueprint for a social, political and economic turnaround. Hossein Askari's insider experience in most of these countries makes this valuable work a must-read for specialists and students of the area.' -- Hossein Razavi, Director of Finance, Private Sector and Infrastructure Department, Middle East and North Africa Region, The World Bank, US'Anyone who wants to grasp the economic status of this rather special, perhaps unique, part of the world will find here a knowledgeable and assiduous guide. Secondly, the book presents a strong and uncompromising argument about what these countries must do, and what the West must do, to improve the economic performance and social fabric of the MENA region, and thus better the daily lives of the inhabitants.' -- From the foreword by Robert M. Solow, Nobel Laureate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USTable of ContentsContents: Foreword by Robert M. Solow 1. Introduction 2. The Blessing and the Curse of Oil 3. Islam, Governance and Economic Development 4. Instability, Regional Conflicts and External Intervention 5. Physical and Social Indicators 6. Broad Economic Indicators and Performance 7. Government Finances 8. External Sector 9. Labor and Employment 10. Capital Flows 11. Law and Order, Business Climate, Economic Freedom and Country Risk 12. Military Expenditures and the Cost of Conflicts 13. Policy Assessment: A Synthesis of Successes and Failures 14. The Way Forward Appendices Bibliography Glossary Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe convergence of technology-based competitive capabilities among the world's economies has drastically altered the required economic growth strategies in industrialized nations. Based on a variety of corporate and government investment trend data and comparisons among national growth strategies, Gregory Tassey examines how this convergence has created an imperative for new growth models and strategies. In particular, he analyzes the major policy mechanisms for stimulating R&D investment and improving R&D efficiency over technology life cycles, detailing the needed changes. In the 65 years since Joseph Schumpeter's classic characterization of the 'creative destruction' process of industrial technological change, the role of technology in economic growth has grown relentlessly. The author provides the first detailed assessment of underinvestment in R&D and the two major R&D policy response mechanisms - tax policy and direct funding. The policy models and analyses presented are based largely on US economic experience, but the resulting prescriptions are relevant for all existing and emerging technology-based economies. The author's ultimate message is that the industry-centric Schumpeterian model must be expanded to one in which competition among governments is as important as it is within the private sector. This cutting-edge study will be of interest to science and technology policy researchers and analysts, economists focusing on the impacts of technological change, government managers of science and technology programs, and industry managers from high-tech firms.Trade Review'This book is highly persuasive and enlightening, and should be required reading for all interested in technology policy.' -- Andrew Tylecote, Prometheus'Tassey's work is timely, thought-provoking and essential reading for understanding the scope and depth required for S&T policy analysis in the new era where the current economic leader is struggling to retain its position.' -- Irene C. Makar, Research Policy'Page after page, this book builds a case of a major international transformation that has left the world economy much more dependent on science-driven technology. [The book's] arguments should attract attention and deserve to be discussed widely and thoroughly.' -- Nicholas S. Vonortas, The George Washington University, US'The innovative models, supporting data, and unique policy analyses make this book a must for economists, policy analysts, and industry managers concerned about S&T policies and economic growth. It could easily end up as a definitive work on the modern technology-based economy.' -- Albert N. Link, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, USTable of ContentsContents: Preface Part I: The Economics of Decline 1. Globalization of Technology 2. Indicators of Decline Part II: R&D in the Modern Economy 3. The Technology Paradigm 4. The Public–Private Growth Model 5. Underinvestment in R&D 6. Strategic Shifts in the IT Economy 7. The Technology Life Cycle 8. The Role of Technical Infrastructure Part III: Technology-Based Political Economy 9. Assessing the Government Role 10. Elements of STID Policy 11. To Compete or Not to Compete Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisPoverty Strategies in Asia is an examination of a wide range of measures aimed at reducing poverty in the region.It is widely recognized that while high and sustained economic growth is critical for poverty reduction, there are other policy interventions that may also be significant in a 'growth plus' approach to poverty reduction. This volume brings together a series of case studies on the poverty impact of alternative interventions in a broad range of Asian economies. The measures examined within the book cover trade liberalization both in general and in a specific market, infrastructure investment (particularly in roads), population policies, cash transfers, microfinance, employment guarantee programs and contract farming. The countries covered include the Philippines, Lao PDR, Pakistan, India and Thailand. While the results illustrated by the contributors are mixed, they demonstrate the potential for further progress in poverty reduction.This latest joint publication by the ADBI and Edward Elgar Publishing will be warmly welcomed by scholars and researchers of Asian studies and development. Professional economists within international and bilateral development agencies and policymakers will also find much to engage them.Trade Review'. . . the volume makes interesting reading. . . The language of the text is indeed lucid and the organization of the materials could not have been better.' -- Arup Mitra, The Developing Economies'This is an important book making a convincing case that structural elements are of crucial importance in filtering the impact of growth on poverty. A successful development strategy needs to address these structural elements at the country level and modify them in order to take greater advantage of the potential benefits of globalization in reducing poverty.' -- Erik Thorbecke, Cornell University, US'This volume makes an important contribution to our understanding of the complex relationship between economic growth and poverty reduction. The focus on assessing the impact of specific poverty-reduction interventions at the disaggregated, case-study level marks an important and welcome departure from the standard approach to research in this area . . . researchers and practitioners working in the field of poverty reduction and development in Asia and beyond will find much to interest them in this stimulating and informative volume.' -- Colin Kirkpatrick, University of Manchester, UKTable of ContentsContents: Foreword Peter McCawley 1. Poverty Strategies in Asia: Growth Plus Haider A. Khan and John Weiss 2. Macro-Modeling of Poverty and the Dual–Dual Model Haider A. Khan 3. Rice Market Reform and Poverty in the Philippines Caesar B. Cororaton 4. Infrastructure and Poverty: Cross-Country Evidence Hossein Jalilian and John Weiss 5. Roads and Poverty Reduction in Lao PDR Peter Warr 6. Poverty, Vulnerability and Family Size: Evidence from the Philippines Aniceto C. Orbeta Jr 7. Poverty Targeting in Pakistan: The Role of Zakat and the Lady Health Worker Program G.M. Arif 8. Serving the Poorest of the Poor: The Poverty Impact of the Khushhali Bank’s Microfinance Lending in Pakistan Heather Montgomery 9. The Role of Community Preferences in Targeting the Rural Poor: Evidence from Uttar Pradesh Pradeep Srivastava 10. Contract Farming and Poverty Reduction: The Case of Organic Rice Contract Farming in Thailand Sununtar Setboonsarng, PingSun Leung and Junning Cai Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisMost governments attempt to target resources directly at the poor through a variety of measures including food and credit subsidies, job creation schemes and basic health and education projects. These measures are usually classified as being either promotional (to help raise welfare in the long term), or protectional (to support the poor in times of adverse shocks). However, for many Asian countries the reality of these poverty targeting measures has proved disappointing. Following a comprehensive overview by the editor, this book offers a detailed assessment of the results of directly channelling resources to the poor and extensively discusses the experience of five Asian countries - India, Indonesia, the People's Republic of China, the Philippines and Thailand. The authors demonstrate how in many cases these targeting measures have failed due to their high cost and errors of both undercoverage (where many of the poor are excluded) and leakage (when many of the better-off also benefit from these schemes). The authors conclude that whilst poverty targeting remains a critically important objective, past targeting errors must not be forgotten and improved methods of both identifying and reaching the poor must be implemented. Written by leading experts in the field and including analysis of original country surveys, this seminal text documents clearly the operation and success of aid schemes in Asia. This book will make a worthy addition to the literature on development, poverty reduction, social welfare and Asian studies. It will also be an important source of reference for academics and students of economic development, aid practitioners, government officials and development NGOs.Trade Review'This book is a "must read" for researchers and students interested in poverty, poverty reduction, social welfare and development. It provides systematic and comparative studies on the design features, achievements and problems of targeting, set against specific national contexts. The economic focus of the analysis is balanced with sections on the political economy of targeting and management aspects (administrative systems and incentives). While the considerable variations between targeting mechanisms, schemes and contexts demonstrate the difficulties of blanket policy prescriptions, the book presents a fascinating conclusion. Rather than continuing the debate about universal versus targeted approaches, it proposes that a mixed approach might be best: the "broad" targeting of basic services such as primary education and health care combined with the "narrow" targeting of social protection schemes for the very poor.' -- David Hulme, University of Manchester, UKTable of ContentsContents: Preface Maps 1. Experiences with Poverty Targeting in Asia: An Overview John Weiss 2. Poverty Targeting in India Pradeep Srivastava 3. Poverty Targeting in Indonesia Ari A. Perdana and John Maxwell 4. Poverty Targeting in the People’s Republic of China Wang Sangui 5. Poverty Targeting in Thailand Peter Warr and Isra Sarntisart 6. Poverty Targeting in the Philippines Arsenio Balisacan and Rosemarie Edillon 7. Micro-finance and Poverty Reduction in Asia John Weiss, Heather Montgomery and Elvira Kurmanalieva Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisRegulatory Economics and Quantitative Methods comprises original contributions by leading researchers working on issues relating to regulation in Latin America. They focus on regulation in infrastructure industries and attempt to show how quantitative analysis can contribute to more effective regulation. In particular, they discuss central issues relating to the measures used for benchmarking natural monopolies, incentives and contractual arrangements used in the regulatory environment and the impact of regulation and regulatory processes. The analysis throughout the book is both theoretical and applied, with numerous illustrations drawn from various infrastructure sectors such as electricity, water, telecommunications and ports. An innovative feature of the contributions is the link they make between solving the practical problems faced by regulators in various sectors and in helping them to improve the design of policy.The book will be of great interest to academics and students of regulatory economics, as well as those interested in the application of econometrics and general equilibrium modelling. It will also be of interest to government officials and regulators in Latin America, Africa and Eastern European Countries.Table of ContentsContents: Preface 1. Introduction and Overview Omar O. Chisari 2. Bottom-up or Top-down Benchmarking in Natural Monopoly Regulation: The Case of Chile and the United Kingdom Andrés Gómez-Lobo 3. Labour Productivity Change Estimates as an Input for X-Factors Martín A. Rossi 4. Monopoly Regulation, Chilean Style: The Efficient Firm Standard in Theory and Practice Álvaro Bustos and Alexander Galetovic 5. Estimation of Productive Efficiency Based on Non Parametric Techniques: The Case of Electricity Distribution in Argentina Paula Margaretic and Carlos Romero 6. Evolution of Mexico’s Port Efficiency in a Multiproduct Context: A Distance Function Approach Lourdes Trujillo and Maria Manuela González 7. Lessons from Computable General Equilibrium Models Applied to Regulatory Economics Omar O. Chisari, Antonio Estache and Carlos Romero 8. The Effectiveness of Competition Policy in Argentina, Chile and Peru During the 1990s Paula Maragaretic, Maria Fernanda Martínez and Diego Petrecolla Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA landmark contribution to our understanding of economic development.This significant book argues that fundamental changes in deeply rooted institutions do not happen because of outsiders' money, advice, pressures, or even physical force; which explains why foreign aid has not, and can not, improve institutions. The impetus for changing institutions must come from within a society, and the author shows how groups of local scholars contribute to institutional change and development when the political opportunity presents itself. Both economic research and the history of foreign aid suggest that the largest barriers to development arise from a society's institutions - its norms and rules. The author draws on 35 years experience to explain how institutions drive economic development. She goes beyond the abstractions usually used to define institutions, providing numerous examples to illustrate the complex, interlocking, and persistent nature of real world rules and norms. This significant book argues that fundamental changes in deeply rooted institutions do not happen because of outsiders' money, advice, pressures, or even physical force; which explains why foreign aid has not, and can not, improve institutions. The impetus for changing institutions must come from within a society, and the author shows how groups of local scholars contribute to institutional change and development when the political opportunity presents itself. Providing an overview of how market supporting institutions evolved in Europe and why these institutions are weak or absent in most countries of the world, this book will be of interest to a wide audience of aid and development policymakers, academics, and students of economics, political science, management, and law.Trade Review'Mary Shirley's fascinating and thought-provoking book on institutions and development takes issue with the way in which the international community has come to deal with institutions and governance. . . This book has been written by an author who combines a unique theoretical and empirical knowledge of her subject. . . The book clearly benefits both from her rich empirical experience with aid and development, and from her in-depth theoretical and analytical knowledge about institutions and institutional change. The book starts with a preface, which provides a useful and succinct summary of the main arguments developed in the volume. . . the book is very well written and full of valuable and thought-provoking insights on institutional change and development. . . Beyond any doubt, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in development, academics and practitioners alike.' -- Regina Birner, Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture'Institutions and Development is a landmark contribution to our understanding of economic development. It combines the author's extensive experience with a thorough knowledge of the literature to provide an indispensable guide to improving economic performance in underdeveloped countries.' -- Douglass C. North, Washington University in St. Louis, US and Nobel LaureateTable of ContentsContents: Preface 1. Introduction 2. Why are Poor Countries Poor? 3. Market-Supportive Institutions 4. Can Foreign Aid Promote Development? 5. Can we Measure Institutions and Institutional Change? 6. Institutions and the Reform of Urban Water Systems 7. The Role of Scholars and Scholarship in Economic Development 8. Where Do We Go From Here? References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book explores the interdependences of economic globalization, political tensions, and national policymaking whilst analysing opportunities for governance reform at both national and international levels. It considers how governance mechanisms can be fashioned in order to both exploit the opportunities of globalization and cope with the numerous potential conflicts and risks. The authors adopt a multidisciplinary approach based on various theories from economics, political science, sociology and law to provide new insights into globalization processes, their causes and effects and to further develop the understanding of, and interaction between globalization and governance. They underline the need to design innovative governance structures at national, regional, and global levels ? an unalterable precondition to overcome political, cultural, and distributional conflicts in a globalizing world. In conclusion, the book prescribes development strategies to successfully manage and overcome the political, cultural and distributional conflicts arising in a globalizing world.Highlighting the successes and failures of globalization, this challenging book will be warmly welcomed by scholars and researchers in various fields of economics including development economics, institutional economics, political economy, and the economics of transition. Those with an interest in regulation and governance, including policymakers and professionals in non-governmental organizations and development agencies will also find the book to be an invaluable tool.Table of ContentsContents: 1. Governance, Development, and Institutional Change in Times of Globalization Joachim Ahrens PART I: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION 2. Samuel Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations − A Self-fulfilling Prophecy? Werner Ruf 3. France and the Islamic World: Exterior and Interior Aspects of an Exceptional Relationship Gisela Müller-Brandeck-Bocquet 4. The Role of Turkey: Secular Statehood and Islam Gülistan Gürbey 5. The EU and the Middle East Conflict: Promoting Peace and Reform? Isabel Schäfer 6. The European Union’s Foreign Policy: Regional Profile and Global Reach Udo Diedrichs PART II: NATIONAL STRATEGIES 7. Small Countries – Useful Lessons: Governance in EU Accession Countries and in East Asia Joachim Ahrens 8. Successfully Catching Up: Non-Orthodox Economic and Governance Reforms in India and China Christian Roland 9. Africa: Sad Proof that Institutions Do Matter Janina Weingarth and Alfred Wiederer 10. On the African Development Tragedy Jörn Altmann PART III: NEWLY EMERGING GLOBAL ACTORS AND NETWORKS 11. The Beginning of the End of the Western-dominated World Order? On the Dynamics of the Rise of China and India Dirk Messner 12. Globalization, Social Movement, and the Labor Market: A Transatlantic Perspective Welf Werner 13. Global Governance and the Private Sector Peter-Tobias Stoll 14. Regions in the World Economic Triangle Dirk Messner References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe purpose of this book is to analyze the effects of developed countries' agricultural policies on developing countries. The main focus is on food security, poverty and other topics such as multifunctionality, biotechnology and regional agreements, as an input to policy reform within the World Trade Organization (WTO) trade negotiations. The book arises from a joint project between the Food and Resource Economics Institute in Denmark and the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington.Table of Contents1: Overview, E Diaz-Bonilla, Inter-American Development Bank, USA, S E Frandsen, Food and Resource Economic Institute, Denmark, and S Robinson, University of Sussex Falmer, UK 2: Review of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, S E Frandsen and A Walter-Jørgensen, Food and Resource Economic Institute, Denmark 3: The Common Agricultural Policy in an Enlarged Europe: Bright or Bleak Prospects for Africa, B Gersfelt and H G Jensen, Food and Resource Economic Institute, Denmark 4: U.S. Agricultural Policy: The 2002 Farm Bill and WTO Doha Round Proposals, D Orden, International Food Policy Research Institute, USA 5: The Effects of Domestic Agricultural Reforms and Market Access on Trade and Production in Less Developed Countries, S Robinson and K Thierfelder, US Naval Academy, USA 6: Potential Coalitions and Convergence in the Doha Round, K M Lind, Food and Resource Economic Institute, Denmark, and C Bjørnskov, Aarhus School of Business, Denmark 7: Assessing the Harbinson Draft on Modalities in the WTO Agriculture Negotiations, S E Frandsen, H G Jensen, K M Lind, P P Melgaard, and W Yu, Food and Resource Economic Institute, Denmark 8: Food Security and the World Trade Organization: A Typology of Countries, E Diaz-Bonilla, M Thomas, International Food Policy Research Institute, USA, S Robinson and A Cattaneo, Economic Research Service, USDA, USA 9: A Proposal for Combating Acute Food Shortages Based on Sub-Saharan Africa Needs, K M Lind 10: Thinking Inside the Boxes: Protection in the Development and Food Security Boxes Versus Investments in the Green Box, E Diaz-Bonilla, Z Diao, International Food Policy Research Institute, USA and S Robinson 11: That was then but this is now: Multifunctionality in Industry and Agriculture, E Diaz-Bonilla and J Tin, Washington, USA 12: Trade in Genetically Modified Food: Promises and Pitfalls for the Poor, C P Nielsen, Food and Resource Economic Institute, Denmark and K Theirfelder 13: Is the Everything But Arms Initiative the way to go for Least Developed Countries in the WTO Negotiations, W Yu, and T V Jensen, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Denmark 14: New Regionalism in the Aftermath of Cancun: To the Benefit or Detriment of Developing Countries, C P Nielsen

Read more less

Book SynopsisModern agriculture and food systems, including organic agriculture, are undergoing a technological and structural modernisation and are faced with a growing globalisation. Organic agriculture (OA) can be seen as pioneering efforts to create sustainable development based on other principles than mainstream agriculture. There are however large differences between the challenges connected to, on one hand, modern farming and consumption in high-income countries and, on the other, smallholder farmers and resource poor consumers in low-income countries. The point of departure is the increasing globalisation and the production and trade of food and fodder and how this influences the role of OA. This book provides an overview of the potential role and challenges of organic agriculture in this global perspective, as seen from different perspectives such as sustainability, food security and fair trade.Table of Contents1: Global trends in agriculture and food systems, 2: Globalisation and sustainable development: a potential ecology strategy to realize ecological justice, 3: Organic agriculture and ecological justice: Ethics and practice, 4: Ecological Economics and organic farming, 5: Organic farming in a world of free trade, 6: Certified and non-certified organic farming in the developing world, 7: Possibilities for closing the urban rural nutrient cycles, 8: Soil Fertility Depletion Sub-Saharan Africa: What is the Role of Organic Agriculture, 9: Sustainable veterinary medical practices in organic farming: a global perspective, 10: The impact of organic farming on food security in a regional and global perspective, 11: Towards a global research programme for organic food and farming, 12: Synthesis: The potential of organic farming in a globalised world,

Read more less

Book SynopsisUsing original research from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America this book reviews the recent restructuring of the global agri-food industry and the dramatic rise of global retail chains in developing and transition countries. It focuses on the private standards and requirements imposed by multinational companies investing in these countries and the resulting changes to existing supply chains. It also examines the impact of these changes on local producers, particularly poor farmers, and considers the long-term policy implications in terms of growth and poverty.Table of Contents1: Introduction, J F M Swinnen, K U Leuven PART I: GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS AND STANDARDS 2: The Globalization of Private Standards and the Agro-food System, 3: Public and Private Food Quality Standards: Recent Trends and Strategic Incentives, 4: The Costs and Benefits of Compliance with Food Safety Standards for Exports by Developing Countries: The Case of Fish and Fishery Products, 5: The Dynamics of Vertical Coordination in Agri-Food Supply Chains in Transition Countries, 6: Trade Liberalization and Rent Distribution in Vertically-Related Markets, 7: Contracting, Competition, and Rent Distribution in Supply Chains: Theory and empirical evidence from Central Asia , PART II: EMPIRICAL STUDIES ON CHANGES AND EFFECTS 8: ASIA 8.1: Growth in high-value agriculture in Asia and the emergence of vertical links with farmers, 8.2: Small Traders and Small Farmers: The Small Engines Driving China's Giant Boom in Horticulture, 8.3: Quality Control and the marketing of non-staple crops in India, 9: LATIN AMERICA 9.1: Supermarkets and Small Horticultural Product Farmers in Central America, 10: AFRICA 10.1: Global supply chains, poverty and the environment: Evidence from Madagascar, 10.2: High-value supply chains, food standards and rural households in Senegal, 11: THE FORMER SOVIET UNION 11.1: Transformation and contracting in the supply chains of the former Soviet Union: Evidence from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia, 11.2: Vertical Integration in Russian Agriculture, E Serova, AFE 12: CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE 12.1: Restructuring market relations in food and agriculture of Central Eastern Europe: Impacts upon small farmers, 12.2: The impact of retail investments in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and the Russian Federation, 12.3: Vertical coordination in the dairy sector : A comparative analysis of Romania and Slovakia, PART III: THE POLICY AGENDA 13: Global supply chains, standards and the poor: Implications for government policy and international organizations, 14: The role of the public and private sector in commercializing small farms and reducing transaction costs, 15: Building capacity for compliance with evolving food safety and agricultural health standards, 16: Public Sector Initiatives to Facilitate Small Farmer Access to International Marketing Chains: Lessons from Marketing Assistance Programs in Armenia,

Read more less

Book SynopsisTransfrontier conservation is a global concept which encompasses the protection of biodiversity spanning the borders of two or more countries in ways that support local economic development, international relations and peace. Nowhere is this more relevant but highly debatable than in Africa, which is home to a third of the world's terrestrial biodiversity, while at the same time hosting its poorest nations. This is one of the first books to account for the emergence of transfrontier conservation in Africa against international experiences in bioregional planning. The roles of the state and local populations are analysed, as well as the ecological, socio-economic and political implications.Table of Contents1: Perspectives on TFCA's: An Introduction 2: On the Ideological Foundations of Transfrontier Conservation Areas 3: Peace Through Ecology? A Soft Approach to Hard Realities 4: Local Initiatives and their Regional and Global Connections 5: Southern African Development Community: A Regional Catalyst 6: Silencing Community Struggles 7: The Renaissance of the Bush: The Reinvention of the Cape to Cairo Route in Contemporary Africa 8: Mapping Africa's Future 9: Postscript: Transfrontier Parks and the Legacy of Rupert

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of the most notable changes in the world economy during the past three decades has been the diverging trends in the growth of the developing countries. Compared to East Asian countries that have integrated well into the global economy, those of Sub-Saharan Africa have remained stagnant and have become the world's least developed area. The policies and programmes of international organizations have failed to improve the situation while the global economy becomes dominated by trans-national corporations. A review of the suitability of globalization as an economic strategy for these under-developed countries is therefore needed. Focusing on the impact of globalization and on the constraints imposed by the changes in the world's production and trade, this book examines the opportunities open to the least developed countries as they design their strategies to accelerate growth and alleviate poverty. As the world's awareness of issues concerning globalization grows, this study will provide valuable insights.Table of ContentsI: Diverging Views on Globalization II: Globalization and the Marginalization of the Least Developed Countries III: Has Globalization been "Pro-Poor"? IV: Have the Policies of Economic Development been "Pro-Poor"? V: Trade and Growth Policies for Poverty Reduction: The Lessons of the "East Asian Miracle" for the LDCs VI: Will Africa be Left Behind? a: Appendices: a.1: The Impact of Off-shoring and the Transfer of Capital from Developed to Developing Countries: A Diagrammatic Illustration a.2: The Saving Trap and the Big Push: The Theory and its Traps

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe development of competitive agro-industries is crucial for creating employment and income opportunities as well as enhancing the demand for farm products. However, in order to avoid adverse effects to vulnerable countries and people, sound policies and strategies for fostering agro-industries are needed. This book has been developed from a meeting of policy makers, governments, UN technical agencies and agro-industry specialists. It addresses the strategies and actions required for improving agro-industrial competitiveness in ways that can contribute to broad-based economic development and poverty reduction. This book is a co-publication with FAO and UNIDOTable of Contents1: Introduction 2: Building the political case for agro-industries and agribusiness in developing countries 3: Agro-industry trends, patterns and development impacts 4: Technologies shaping the future 5: Enabling environments for competitive agro-industries 6: Business models that are inclusive of small farmers 7: Corporate social responsibility for agro-industries development 8: Annexes A: Alain de janvry's plenary address on "agriculture for development - implications for agro-industries"

Read more less

Book SynopsisRural policy in industrialized countries is currently undergoing significant change. 'Place-based economies', where the unique attributes and assets of individual places determine their attractiveness for particular types of activities and investments, are increasingly important for rural development. The Next Rural Economies debates the future of rural development and highlights successes and failures to inform research, policy and community action. Case studies present discussions of the current state of rural community and economic restructuring and provide research and policy directions for constructing resilient and sustainable rural economies.Table of Contents1: Introduction: The Next Rural Economies a: Demographics, Migration, and Immigration 2: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Something:::? Rediscovering the Comparative Advantage of the New Pastoral Economies of Northern New South Wales, Australia 3: The US Great Plains, Change, and Place Development 4: A New Rural North Carolina: Latino Place-Making and Community Engagement 5: Connecting Rural and Urban Places: Enduring Migration between Small Areas in England and Wales 6: Ontario’s Greenbelt and Places to Grow Legislation: Impacts on the Future of the Countryside and the Rural Economy b: Emerging Economies 7: Adding Value Locally through Integrated Rural Tourism: Lessons from Ireland 8: Value-Added Agricultural Products and Entertainment in Michigan’s Fruit Belt 9: Rural Restructuring and the New Rural Economy: Examples from Germany and Canada 10: Nurturing the Animation Sector in a Peripheral Economic Region: The Case of Miramichi, New Brunswick c: Rural Policy and Governance 11: Co-Constructing Rural Communities in the 21st Century: Challenges for Central Governments and the Research Community in Working Effectively with Local and Regional Actors 12: Partnerships, People, and Place: Lauding the Local in Rural Development 13: The Political Economies of Place in the Emergent Global Countryside: Stories from Rural Wales d: Rural-Urban Exchange 14: Reviving Small Rural Towns in the Paris Periurban Fringes 15: When Rural-Urban Fringes Arise as Differentiated Place: The Socio-Economic Restructuring of Volvic Sources et Volcans, France 16: Rural Development Strategies in Japan e: Renewal in Resource Peripheries 17: Heroes, Hope, and Resource Development in Canada’s Periphery: Lessons from Newfoundland and Labrador 18: Fly-in, Fly-out Resource Development: A New Regionalist Perspective on the Next Rural Economy 19: Understanding and Transforming a Staples-Based Economy: Place-Based Development in Northern British Columbia, Canada 20: Space to Place: Bridging the Gap

Read more less

Book SynopsisAuthored by an experienced agriculturalist with substantial field experience in developing countries, this book adds to the literature on food security by proposing practical measures for improving plant-based food security in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Covering issues affecting food security, the book discusses ways of measuring farmers' resources, strategies for action, and an analysis of the challenges and problems faced, concluding with a discussion of ways in which stakeholders could work better together.Table of ContentsI: Introduction 1: Defining the Food Security Problem 2: Evaluating the Resources of Small-scale and Subsistence Farmers 3: Alternative Approaches Examined 4: The Need for a Participatory Approach 5: Researching the Situation to Define Strategies 6: Challenges Presented by Natural and Man-made Factors 7: The Competition for Resources for Food Production 8: Monitoring Intervention Strategies in Different Farming Systems 9: Small-scale and Subsistence Farmers' Households and Selected Farming Systems 10: Liaison of International, National and Local Agencies II: Conclusion I: Introduction 1: Defining the Food Security Problem 2: Evaluating the Resources of Small-scale and Subsistence Farmers 3: Alternative Approaches Examined 4: The Need for a Participatory Approach 5: Researching the Situation to Define Strategies 6: Challenges Presented by Natural and Man-made Factors 7: The Competition for Resources for Food Production 8: Monitoring Intervention Strategies in Different Farming Systems 9: Small-scale and Subsistence Farmers' Households and Selected Farming Systems 10: Liaison of International, National and Local Agencies 11: Conclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisHuman actions across the past few centuries have led to a depletion of the world's natural energy sources, as well as large scale environmental degradation. In the context of these current global issues, this book covers the latest research on the application and use of microbes in topical areas such as bioremediation and biofuels. With chapters covering environmental clean-up, microbial fuel cells and biohydrogen, it provides a comprehensive discussion of the latest developments in the field of microbe utilization.Table of ContentsPart 1: Microbial Biotechnology: Present and Future Prospects 1: Emerging Trends in Microbial Biotechnology: Energy and Environment Part 2: Harnessing Sustainable Energy Sources from Microbes 2: The Microbiology of Microbial Electric Systems 3: A Comparative Assessment of Bioelectrochemical Systems and Enzymatic Fuel Cells 4: Electrical Energy from Microorganisms 5: Rumen Microbial Fuel Cells Part 3: Mechanistics of Bioenergy Production 6: Systems Microbiology Approach to Bioenergy 7: Nanotechnology and Bioenergy: Innovations and Applications 8: Host Engineering for Biofuel-Tolerant Phenotypes Part 4: Bioenergy from Wastes and Pollutant Removal 9: Microbial Fuel Cells: Electricity Generation from Organic Wastes by Microbes 10: Integration of Anaerobic Digestion and Oil Accumulation: Bioenergy Production and Pollutants Removal 11: Biohydrogen Generation Through Solid Phase Anaerobic Digestion from Organic Solid Waste Part 5: Microalgae for Biofuels 12: Algae - A Novel Biomass Feedstock for Biofuels 13: Biofuel from Microalgae: Myth versus Reality Part 6: Bioremediation Technologies for Petroleum Hydrocarbons, PAHs and Xenobiotics 14: Biodegradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Contaminated Soils 15: Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) 16: The Role of Biological Control in the Creation of Bioremediation Technologies Part 7: Bioremediation of Nuclear Waste 17: Bioremediation of Uranium, Transuranic Waste and Fission Products 18: Uranium Bioremediation: Nanotechnology and Biotechnology Advances Part 8: Extremophilic Microbes: Role in Environmental Cleanup 19: Going Extreme for Small Solutions to Big Environmental Challenges

Read more less

Book SynopsisPlaces Sudan's oil industry (examined here in macro, micro and political terms), its economy, external relations and changing politics under the impact of the Darfur conflict and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, in the wider context of the expansion of Asia's global economic strength. By successfully turning to China, Malaysia and India from the mid-1990s, amidst civil war and political isolation, Khartoum's 'Look East' policy transformed Sudan's economy and foreign relations. Sudan, in turn, has been a key theatre of Chinese, Indian and Malaysian overseas energy investment. What began as economic engagements born of pragmatic necessity later became politicized within Sudan and without, resulting in global attention. Despite its importance, widespread sustained interest and continuing political controversy, there is no single volume publication examining the rise and nature of Chinese, Malaysian and Indian interests in Sudan, their economic and political consequences, and role in Sudan's foreign relations. Addressing this gap, this book provides a groundbreaking analysis of Sudan's 'Look East' policy. It offers the first substantive treatment of a subject of fundamental significancewithin Sudan that, additionally, has become a globally prominent dimension of its changing international politics. Daniel Large is research director of the Africa Asia Centre, Royal African Society at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and founding director of the Rift Valley Institute's digital Sudan Open Archive. Luke A. Patey is a Research Fellow at the Danish Institute for International Studies.Trade ReviewA very useful reference for many of those engaged in Sudanese studies and affairs. * SUDAN STUDIES *Table of ContentsSudan Looks East: Introduction - Daniel Large and Luke A. Patey Sudan's Foreign Relations since Independence - Peter Woodward The Oil Boom & its Limitations in Sudan - Laura James Local Relations of Oil Development in Southern Sudan: Displacement, Environmental Impact & Resettlement - Leben Nelson Moro India in Sudan: Troubles in an African Oil 'Paradise' - Luke A. Patey Malaysia-Sudan: From Islamist Students to Rentier Bourgeois - Roland Marchal 'Dams are Development': China, the Al-Ingaz Regime & the Political Economy of the Sudanese Nile - Harry Verhoeven Genocide Olympics: How Activists Linked China, Darfur & Beijing 2008 - Alexandra Cosima Budabin Southern Sudan & China: 'Enemies into Friends'? - Daniel Large Conclusion: China, India & the Politics of Sudan's Asian Alternatives - Daniel Large and Luke A. Patey

Read more less

Book SynopsisAfrica is a 'theme park' for Western tourists to experience untouched wilderness, untamed nature, and truly 'authentic' cultures, where the hosts, too, are part of a discourse about the 'other' and ourselves, about wildness, danger and roots. Tourism is important for Africa: international tourist arrivals to Africa continue to grow, income from tourism is crucial to national economies, and tourism investments are considered among the most profitable. This edited volumedeals with the interaction of local communities with tourists coming into their areas and villages. Based upon a common theoretical approach, fourteen cases of African tourism are discussed which involve direct contact between 'hosts' and 'guests'. The viewpoint throughout is from the side of the locals, establishing how the processes of interaction shape each small scale destination. Crucial in Africa is the fact that the large majority of tourism is game oriented and the interaction between locals and visitors is very much 'tainted' by this fact. Central is the notion of the tourist bubble - the infrastructure that is generated locally (and internationally) for hosting tourists, as it is this institutional interface that tends to impact on the local society and culture, not the tourists themselves directly. The examples come from all over Africa, from the Sahara to the Eastern Cape, and from Kenyato Ghana. All contributions are based upon original fieldwork. Walter van Beek is professor of anthropology at Tilburg University and Senior Researcher at the African Studies Centre, Leiden; Annette Schmidt is curatorof the African department at the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden, and is an archaeologist with a long experience in cultural management projects.Trade ReviewHighly recommended. * AFRICA AFFAIRS *A welcome addition to the growing field of tourism research in Africa [which will] provide insights for policy-makers to further consider the benefit-sharing formulas in host-guest relations in Africa, especially when aiming for poverty reduction by utilising the tourism industry as a tool. * JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM *This collection of insightful essays on tourism in Africa makes a major contribution to the literature. . Highly recommended. * CHOICE *Table of ContentsForeword - Valene Smith African dynamics of cultural tourism - Walter E A Van Beek African dynamics of cultural tourism - PART I Culture, Identity & Tourism - Annette M. Schmidt To dance or not to dance: Dogon masks as a tourist arena - Walter E A Van Beek Semiotics & the political economy of tourism in the Sahara - Georg Klute 'How much for Kunta Kinte?!' Sites of memory & diasporan encounters in West Africa - Kim C. Warren 'How much for Kunta Kinte?!' Sites of memory & diasporan encounters in West Africa - Elizabeth MacGonagle Imitating heritage tourism: a virtual tour of Sekhukhuneland, South Africa - PART II At the Fringe of the Parks - Ineke van Kessel Hosts & guests: stereotypes & myths of international tourism in the Okavango Delta, Botswana - Joseph Mbaiwa Kom 'n bietjie kuier: Kalahari dreaming with the Khomani San - Kate Finlay and Shanade Barnabas Treesleeper camp: a case study of community tourism in Tsintsabis, Namibia - Stasja Koot 'The lion has become a cow': the Maasai hunting paradox - Vanessa Wijngaarden The organization of hypocrisy? Juxtaposing tourists & farm dwellers in game farming in South Africa - Shirley Brooks The organization of hypocrisy? Juxtaposing tourists & farm dwellers in game farming in South Africa - Marja Spierenburg The organization of hypocrisy? Juxtaposing tourists & farm dwellers in game farming in South Africa - PART III Intensive Contact - Harry Wels Backpacking in Africa - Ton van Egmond 'I'm not a tourist. I'm a volunteer': tourism, development & international volunteerism in Ghana - Eiliadh Swan Becoming 'real African kings & queens': chieftaincy, culture & tourism in Ghana - Marijke Steegstra Sex trade & tourism in Kenya: close encounters between the hosts & the hosted - Wanjohi Kibicho Host-guest encounters in a Gambian 'love' bubble - Lucy McCombes Afterword. Trouble in the bubble: comparing African tourism with the Andes trail - Annelou Ypeij

Read more less

Book SynopsisExamines the commodification of land rights and the effect of international licences for resource extraction on the pastoral communities of Sudan. Nowhere has a range of case studies of Sudan been brought together in a single volume. Given the concern with the growing number and complexity of conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan there is a significant readership in academic circles and from those involved in humanitarian organisations of all kinds. Professor Peter Woodward, University of Reading "A timely contribution to an important set of debates ... tackles questions emerging from discussions about modernisation, urbanisation and globalisation from an explicitly local angle with regards to Sudan." Dr Harry Verhoeven, University of Oxford Sudan experiences one of the most severe fissures between society and territory in Africa. Not only were its international borders redrawn when South Sudan separated in 2011, but conflicts continue to erupt over access to land: territorial claims are challenged by local and international actors; borders are contested; contracts governing the privatization of resources are contentious; and the legal entitlements to agricultural land are disputed. Under these new dynamics of land grabbing and resource extraction, fundamental relationships between people and land are being disrupted: while land has become a global commodity, for millions it still serves as a crucial reference for identity-formation and constitutes their most important source of livelihood. This book seeks to disentangle the emerging relationships between people and land in Sudan. The first part focuses on the spatial impact of resource-extracting economies: foreign agricultural land acquisitions; Chinese investments in oil production; and competition between artisanal and industrial gold mining. Detailed ethnographic case studies in the second part, from Darfur, South Kordofan, Red Sea State, Kassala, Blue Nile, and Khartoum State, show how rural people experience "their" land vis-à-vis the latest wave of privatization and commercialization of land rights. Jörg Gertel is Professor of Economic Geography at Leipzig University; Richard Rottenburg is Chair of Anthropology at the University of Halle; Sandra Calkins is a Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in HalleTrade ReviewAn excellent account of the problems.each of the ten chapters are well researched by authors. * SUDAN STUDIES *All the contributions offer rich empirical and theoretical insights into understanding the complex and volatile dynamics of land-related contestations in Sudan. The strong theoretical harmony between the chapters makes the value of the book a strong and illuminating collection of pieces. * AFRICAN STUDIES QUARTERLY *Table of ContentsDisrupting territories: commodification and its consequences by Jörg Gertel, Richard Rottenburg and Sandra Calkins Agricultural Investment through Land Grabbing in Sudan by Siddiq Umbadda Territories of gold mining: international investment and artisanal extraction in Sudan by Sandra Calkins and Enrico Ille Oil, Water and Agriculture: Chinese impact on Sudanese land use by Janka Linke Nomad-sedentary relations in the context of dynamic land rights in Darfur: from complementarity to conflict by Musa Adam Abdul-Jalil Sedentary-nomadic relations in a shared territory: post-conflict dynamics in the Nuba mountains, Sudan by Guma Kunda Komey Entangled land and identity: Beja history and institutions by Sara Pantuliano Gaining an access to land: everyday negotiations and ethnic politics of Rashaida in north-eastern Sudan by Sandra Calkins Hausa and Fulbe on the Blue Nile: land conflict between farmers and herders by Elhadi Ibrahim Osman and Günther Schlee A central marginality: the invisibilization of urban pastoralists in Khartoum state by Barbara Casciarri

Read more less

Book SynopsisExamines a new aspect of one of the highest profile issues facing Africa today-land-grabbing-and shows the widespread impact of small-scale dispossession. Dispossession of land on a small scale can have as great an impact on living conditions as large-scale land-grabs. With the increasing commodification of land, new forms of dispossession, in urban as well as rural districts, are also gaining in importance. This book looks at this largely uninvestigated issue through case studies in the Eastern DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda: here the loss of land often represents the loss of people's livelihoods inthese areas of extreme land scarcity in highly populated regions. In the post-conflict states of the Great Lakes, governance challenges increase the risk of dispossession of the already poor and vulnerable: formal institutions are weak or biased; customary authorities have lost some of their moral authority. The cases in this book show in particular how local power dynamics, often rooted in history, bear upon the processes of land competition, dispossession and land grabbing. This timely volume will be important not only for those in African Studies, but for those in development studies, as well as practitioners and policy-makers worldwide. An Ansoms is assistant professor in development studies at the Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium); Thea Hilhorst is a senior advisor at the Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Causes and risks of dispossession and land grabbing in the Great Lakes region - An Ansoms Introduction: Causes and risks of dispossession and land grabbing in the Great Lakes region - Thea Hilhorst Land grabbing and development history: The Congolese experience - Jean-Philippe Peemans This land is my land: Land grabbing in Ituri (DRC) - Daniel Fahey Land grabbing by mining companies: Local contentions and state reconfiguration in South-Kivu (DRC) - Sara Geenen Land grabbing by mining companies: Local contentions and state reconfiguration in South-Kivu (DRC) - Jana Hönke Competition over soil and subsoil: Land grabbing by local elites in South Kivu (Eastern DRC) - Klara Claessens Competition over soil and subsoil: Land grabbing by local elites in South Kivu (Eastern DRC) - Emery Mushagalusa Mudinga Competition over soil and subsoil: Land grabbing by local elites in South Kivu (Eastern DRC) - An Ansoms The continuities in contested land acquisitions in Uganda by Mathijs van Leeuwen, Ilse Zeemeijer, Doreen Kobusingye, Charles Muchunguzi, Linda Haartsen and Claudia Piacenza Land grabbing and power relations in Burundi: Practical norms and real governance - Aymar Nyenyezi Land grabbing and power relations in Burundi: Practical norms and real governance - An Ansoms Land grabbing and land tenure security in post-genocide Rwanda - Chris Huggins The reorganization of rural space in Rwanda: Habitat concentration, land consolidation and collective marshland cultivation by An Ansoms, Giuseppe Cioffo, Chris Huggins and Jude Murison "Modernizing Kigali": The struggle for space in the Rwandan urban context - Vincent Manirakiza and An Ansoms Conclusion - An Ansoms and Thea Hilhorst

Read more less

Book SynopsisExamines the increasing significance of the volunteer and volunteerism in African societies, and their societal impact within precarious economies in a period of massive unemployment and faltering trajectories of social mobility. Across Africa today, as development activities animate novel forms of governance, new social actors are emerging, among them the volunteer. Yet, where work and resources are limited, volunteer practices have repercussions that raise contentious ethical issues. What has been the real impact of volunteers economically, politically and in society? The interdisciplinary experts in this collection examine the practices of volunteers - both international and local - and ideologies of volunteerism. They show the significance of volunteerism to processes of social and economic transformation, and political projects of national development and citizenship, as well as to individual aspirations in African societies. These case studies - from South Africa, Lesotho, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Sierra Leone and Malawi - examine everyday experiences of volunteerism and trajectories of voluntary work, trace its broaderhistorical, political and economic implications, and situate African experiences of voluntary labour within global exchanges and networks of resources, ideas and political technologies. Offering insights into changing configurations of work, citizenship, development and social mobility, the authors offer new perspectives on the relations between labour, identity and social value in Africa. Ruth Prince is Associate Professor in Medical Anthropology at the University of Oslo; with her co-author Wenzel Geissler, she won the 2010 Amaury Talbot Prize for their book The Land is Dying: Contingency, Creativity and Conflict in Western Kenya. Hannah Brown is a lecturer in Anthropology at Durham University.Trade ReviewVolunteer Economies is [.] an informative, recommended read that will serve an eclectic academic, practitioner and policy audience. * LUCAS *Table of ContentsIntroduction: The politics and ethics of voluntary labour in Africa - Ruth Prince and Hannah Brown Part 1: Citizenship & Civic Participation The many uses of moral magnetism: Volunteer caregiving and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa - Christopher James Colvin The civics of urban malaria vector control: Grassroots and breeding places in Dar es Salaam - Ann H. Kelly The civics of urban malaria vector control: Grassroots and breeding places in Dar es Salaam - Prosper Chaki PART 2: Unequal Economies The purchase of volunteerism: Uses and meanings of money in Lesotho's development sector - Ståle Wig Positions and possibilities in volunteering for transnational medical research in Lusaka - Birgitte Bruun PART 3: Hosts and Guests Doing good while they can: International volunteers, development and politics in early independence Tanzania - Michael Jennings Hosting gazes: Clinical volunteer tourism and hospital hospitality in Tanzania - Noelle Sullivan Beneath the spin: Moral complexity and rhetorical simplicity in "global health" volunteering - Claire L. Wendland Beneath the spin: Moral complexity and rhetorical simplicity in "global health" volunteering - Susan L. Erikson Beneath the spin: Moral complexity and rhetorical simplicity in "global health" volunteering - Noelle Sullivan PART 4: Moral Journeys A third mode of engagement with the excluded other: Student volunteers from an elite boarding school in Kenya - Bjørn Hallstein Holte Undoing apartheid legacies?: Volunteering as repentance and politics by other means - Thomas G. Kirsch Epilogue: Ebola and the vulnerable volunteer

Read more less

Book SynopsisExamines the increasing significance of the volunteer and volunteerism in African societies, and their societal impact within precarious economies in a period of massive unemployment and faltering trajectories of social mobility. Across Africa today, as development activities animate novel forms of governance, new social actors are emerging, among them the volunteer. Yet, where work and resources are limited, volunteer practices have repercussions that raise contentious ethical issues. What has been the real impact of volunteers economically, politically and in society? The interdisciplinary experts in this collection examine the practices of volunteers - both international and local - and ideologies of volunteerism. They show the significance of volunteerism to processes of social and economic transformation, and political projects of national development and citizenship, as well as to individual aspirations in African societies. These case studies - from South Africa, Lesotho, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Sierra Leone and Malawi - examine everyday experiences of volunteerism and trajectories of voluntary work, trace its broaderhistorical, political and economic implications, and situate African experiences of voluntary labour within global exchanges and networks of resources, ideas and political technologies. Offering insights into changing configurations of work, citizenship, development and social mobility, the authors offer new perspectives on the relations between labour, identity and social value in Africa. Ruth Prince is Associate Professor in Medical Anthropology at the University of Oslo; with her co-author Wenzel Geissler, she won the 2010 Amaury Talbot Prize for their book The Land is Dying: Contingency, Creativity and Conflict in Western Kenya. Hannah Brown is a lecturer in Anthropology at Durham University.Trade Review[T]he volume's diverse depictions of voluntary labour is one of its greatest strengths. Asking the reader to consider 'voluntourists' alongside low-income individuals who rely on clinical trials to access healthcare challenges the reader's own conceptions of moral economic activity as well as the basic definition of the word 'volunteer'. * AFRICA *Table of ContentsIntroduction: The politics and ethics of voluntary labour in Africa by Ruth Prince and Hannah Brown - PART 1: Citizenship and Civic Participation? The civics of urban malaria vector control: Grassroots and breeding places in Dar es Salaam by Ann Kelly and Prosper Chaki The many uses of moral magnetism: Volunteer caregiving and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa by Christopher J. Colvin - PART 2: Unequal Economies The purchase of volunteerism: Uses and meanings of money in Lesotho's development sector by Ståle Wig Volunteering in transnational medical research in Lusaka by Birgitte Bruun - PART 3: Hosts and Guests Doing good while they can: International volunteers, development and politics in early independence Tanzania by Michael Jennings Beneath the spin: Moral complexity and rhetorical simplicity in "global health" volunteering by Claire Wendland, Susan L. Erikson and Noelle Sullivan Hosting gazes: Clinical volunteer tourism and hospital hospitality in Tanzania by Noelle Sullivan - PART 4: Moral Journeys A third mode of engagement with the excluded other: Student volunteers from an elite boarding school in Kenya by Bjørn Hallstein Holte Volunteering as repentance by Thomas G. Kirsch Epilogue: Ebola and the Vulnerable Volunteer by Peter Redfield

Read more less

Book SynopsisExamines more than a decade of enterprise development strategies in marginal economic contexts in South Africa's mining communities and shows how this might impact on development strategies. In 1987, workers in South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) staged a historic national strike, and 40,000 mineworkers lost their jobs. To assist them, the NUM set up a job creation programme, starting with worker co-operatives before shifting to wider enterprise development strategies. Against the backdrop of South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy, this programme provided support in communities hard hit by escalating job losses onthe mines - including in neighbouring countries. In this book, Kate Philip, who ran NUM's job creation programme for over a decade, charts the often-difficult lessons learned from grappling with the limits and opportunities thatsuch market participation offer to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods. She explores whether and how it might be possible to make markets work better for the poor - and what the notion that markets are social constructs might mean for constructing them differently. Kate Philip is a Senior Economic Development Advisor in the Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC) of South Africa's National Treasury. Through the International Labour Organisation, she has also been supporting the government of Greece in the design and development of a public employment programme.Trade ReviewAs the worldwide trend toward employment that is more precarious, less well paid and scarcer continues and accelerates, the rest of the world would be well advised to see its own future in the extreme inequality and massive structural unemployment of South Africa. The specialists and generalists of the rest of the world should read this book. * AFRICA JOURNAL OF PUBLIC SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE *This book should be read by all development practitioners who believe in the importance of small business ownership as a means to alleviate poverty. * ECONOMIC HISTORY REVIEW *The strength of Philip's book is the depth of its historical excavation and the synchronization of relevant literature on the NUM. . Philip succeeded in applying accurate, original thinking to one of the most important development issues of our time-the rapid economic and political changes occurring in Africa. * AFRICAN STUDIES QUARTERLY *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Setting the scene The 1987 Mineworkers Strike Conflict in the Transkei Power struggles in Lesotho Co-ops capture the imagination The NUM co-op programme Challenges of democratic ownership and control Rethinking degeneration in co-op theory MDA's Development Centre strategy Small enterprise: In the shadow of the core economy A new enterprise development paradigm Market development - or a new "anti-politics machine"? Breaking into higher value markets in the craft sector Marula: Product innovation and value chains Implications for enterprise development strategy If markets are social constructs, how might we construct them differently?

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn up-to-date, comparative, examination of the developing economy of Tanzania and its grass roots progress out of poverty, with pointers to its wider implications for policymakers, NGOS and practitioners. Over the past thirty years, in common with a number of other Sub-Saharan African countries, Tanzania has experienced a period of painful adjustment followed by relatively rapid and stable economic growth. However the extent of progress on poverty reduction and the sustainability of the development process are both open to question. In this book, prominent international observers provide a range of different perspectives on the process of development over time and the issues facing a rapidly growing African economy: political economy; agriculture and rural livelihoods; industrial development; urbanisation; aid and trade; tourism; and the use of natural resources. Comparisons are drawn with other African economies as well as other developing countries, such as Vietnam. An invaluable deep review of Tanzania's economy and development, the book also looks at the wider implications of the research for the futureon the continent and beyond. David Potts is Honorary Visiting Researcher at the University of Bradford and was Head of the Bradford Centre for International Development 2015-16. He worked for six years as an economist in Tanzania's Ministry of Agriculture in the 1980s, has had many subsequent short-term assignments in the country and is co-editor of Development Planning and Poverty Reduction (2003).Table of ContentsIntroduction - Tanzanian Development: a Comparative Perspective - David Potts The Political Economy of Tanzania 1967-2017: Reimagining the State - Andrew Coulson Reflections on the Tanzanian Trajectory: Decline and Recovery - Michael F. Lofchie Agricultural Development in Tanzania - Brian Van Arkadie Assets and Poverty Dynamics: The Methodological Challenges of Constructing Longitudinal Surveys in Tanzania - Dan Brockington Assets and Poverty Dynamics: The Methodological Challenges of Constructing Longitudinal Surveys in Tanzania - Olivia Howland Assets and Poverty Dynamics: The Methodological Challenges of Constructing Longitudinal Surveys in Tanzania - Vesa-Mati Loiske Assets and Poverty Dynamics: The Methodological Challenges of Constructing Longitudinal Surveys in Tanzania - Moses Emanuel Mnzava Assets and Poverty Dynamics: The Methodological Challenges of Constructing Longitudinal Surveys in Tanzania - Christine Noe Contract Farming: Experiences from Tobacco and Sunflower - Joseph Kuzilwa and Bahati Ilembo and Daniel Mpeta and Andrew Coulson "We Just Sell Water - That is All We Do": Two Cases of Small-scale Irrigation - Anna Mdee The Industrial Development of Tanzania in Comparative African Perspective - Peter Lawrence Competitiveness in African Manufacturing: Evidence from Tanzania - John Weiss and Hossein Jalilian "Good Life Never Comes Like Dreams": Youth, Poverty and Employment in Arusha - Nicola Banks International Aid to Tanzania - with some comparisons from Ghana and Uganda - Michael Tribe Real Exchange Rate Changes and Export Performance in Tanzania and Ethiopia - David Potts and Kifle Wondemu Economic Leakage as a Constraint on Tourism's Effective Contribution to Local Economic Development in Tanzania - Faustin Kamuzora Economic Leakage as a Constraint on Tourism's Effective Contribution to Local Economic Development in Tanzania - Julia Jeyacheya Extractive Industry Revenues and their Expenditure in Local Government Authorities: The Case of the Gold Service Levy in Geita District Council - David Potts Extractive Industry Revenues and their Expenditure in Local Government Authorities: The Case of the Gold Service Levy in Geita District Council - Honest Prosper Ngowi

Read more less

Book SynopsisWINNER of the 2023 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award Focuses on a much discussed and controversial aspect of conservation: the commodification of nature. Can the successful marketization of what is generally perceived as wilderness help to provide for biodiversity conservation, economic development and social emancipation? At a time of profound anxiety about the impact of human activity on nature and the catastrophic effects of climate change, the "sixth mass extinction", invasive species and rapidly expanding zoonotic diseases, this volume engages with the practices, discourses, and materialities surrounding the commodification of "the wild". Focusing on the relationship between commodification and wilderness, the contributors pay particular attention to commodification's newer iterations in which human management plays a significant role, such as wildlife-park tourism, trophy-hunting, and trade in herbal medicines, perfumes and luxury exotic food items. Dominant neoliberal approaches have aimed to address global environmental challenges through the commodification and marketization of nature: by valorizing nature, they claim, biodiversity can be safeguarded and "wild" landscapes protected. This, it is thought, will not only open up a new frontier of sustainable, non-exploitative, participatory capitalist expansion, but invigorate rural livelihoods, reduce poverty, and add important assets to otherwise vulnerable rural economies. This important book challenges this future trajectory. Investigating a broad range of cases across southern and eastern Africa, from the illegal sandalwood trade to legal trade in devil's claw and honeybush, to trophy-hunting and wilderness safaris, the contributors reveal the pitfalls and challenges of commodification, what this means for the continent and beyond. OPEN ACCESS: This title is freely available in digital format under the Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-NDTable of ContentsPART 1: INTRODUCTION 1. Introduction: Practices, discourses, and materialities surrounding the commodification of the 'Wild' Michael Bollig, Linus Kalvelage, Léa Lacan, Selma Lendelvo, Alfons Mosimane, and Romie Nghitevelekwa PART 2: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES 2.Fetishizing the 'Wild': Conservation, commodities and capitalism Clemens Greiner and Michael Bollig 3. Value Chains and Global Production Networks: Conceptual considerations and economic development in the 'Wild' Javier Revilla-Diez, Carolin Hulke, and Linus Kalvelage 4. Benefit Sharing and Biodiversity Commodification: A failed approach for social justice, equity and conservation? Rachel Wynberg 5. Transfrontier Conservation Governance, Commodification of Nature, and the New Dynamics of Sovereignty in Namibia Johannes Dittmann and Detlef Müller-Mahn PART 3: PLANTS FROM THE WILDERNESS FOR A GLOBAL MARKET: THE COMMODIFICATION OF NON-DOMESTICATED (WILD) PLANTS 6. Towards Pro-poor or Pro-profit? The governance framework for harvesting and trade of devil's claw (Harpagophytum spp.) in the Zambezi Region, Namibia Jessica-Jane Lavelle 7. Marginalisation and exclusion in honeybush commercialisation in South Africa Sthembile Ndwandwe 8. From Forest to National Resource: Forest conservation and state power in Baringo, Kenya Léa Lacan 9. Commodifying East Africa's Sandalwood: Organised crime and community participation in transnational smuggling of endangered species Eric Mutisya Kioko and Michael Mugo Kinyanjui 10. The Gum Arabic Business: Modernization of production in north-eastern Nigeria Hauke-Peter Vehrs and Ibrahim Maina Wazirii PART 4: COMMODIFYING WILDLIFE 11. Producing Elephant Commodities for 'Conservation Hunting' in Namibian Communal-area Conservancies Lee Hewitson and Sian Sullivan 12. Human-wildlife Interaction, Rural Conflict and Wildlife Conservation Ezequiel Fabiano, Selma Lendelvo, Alfons Mosimane, and Selma Kosmas 13.Hunting for Development: Global production networks and the commodification of wildlife in Namibia Linus Kalvelage PART 5: COMMODIFICATION AND SOCIAL DYNAMICS 14. Women in Rural Northern Namibia and the Commodification of Indigenous Natural Products Romie Nghitevelekwa, Selma Lendelvo, and Martin Shapi 15. Conservation, Traditional Authorities, and the Commodification of the 'Wild': a Namibian perspective Alfons Mosimane, Kenneth Matengu, and Michael Bollig 16. Commodification of Wildlife Resources in the Okavango Delta, Botswana Joseph E. Mbaiwa 17. Justice Dilemmas in Conservation Conflicts in Uganda Lioba Lenhart PART 6: CONCLUSIONS 18. Conclusions: Commodifying the 'Wild' - Where do we go from here? Michael Bollig, Linus Kalvelage, Léa Lacan, Selma Lendelvo, Alfons Mosimane, and Romie Nghitevelekwa

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis innovative book investigates the practical applications of sustainable development in the spirit of the Brundtland Report, paying special attention to water-stressed developing countries. Satoshi Kojima argues that the main objective of sustainable development is poverty alleviation within the present generation without destroying those ecosystems underpinning life support systems. The policy implications of such sustainable development policies are investigated with an original quantitative policy analysis framework.The book develops an innovative dynamic optimisation CGE model based on the Ramsey growth model but employs an imperfect foresight assumption and a decentralised setting in which the private agent and the government optimise their objective functions separately. The model also addresses trade-offs between rain-fed and irrigated agriculture, urban unemployment due to rural-urban migration and welfare costs of lack of safe water access. The model is calibrated and dynamically validated against Moroccan time-series data.Researchers in environmental, ecological and development economics will find this book of great interest. It will also appeal to researchers and scholars interested in water management and related issues.Trade Review'Kojima skillfully argues for and demonstrates the use of quantitative modeling techniques as part of sustainable development research. An important first step in a nascent thread of research promising more theoretically sound and policy-relevant operational definitions of sustainable development.' -- Doug Kenney, University of Colorado, USTable of ContentsContents: Preface 1. Introduction 2. Basic Framework for Quantitative Policy Analysis 3. Analytic Model of Water–Economy Interaction 4. Applied Model of a Water-stressed Developing Economy 5. Calibration and Validation of the Applied Model 6. Policy Simulations 7. Conclusion: Towards Policy-Relevant Sustainable Development Research References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis Handbook provides an authoritative overview of current research in the field of cost-benefit analysis and is designed as a starting point for those interested in undertaking advanced research. The Handbook contains major contributions to the development of the field, focussing on standard microeconomic policy evaluations, the relatively neglected area of macroeconomic policy and its integration into a formal CBA framework, and dynamic considerations in CBAPresenting insights from many influential thinkers, and edited by a leading academic in the field, this comprehensive work will prove an invaluable reference tool for economists, researchers and scholars.Trade Review'Anyone interested in cost-benefit analysis will find this anthology valuable.' -- E. Kacapyr, Choice'This book breathes new life into an old but intellectually robust field by applying the principles of cost-benefit analysis to contemporary issues such as drug-abuse treatment, active labor market programs, tobacco addiction, financial regulation, malnutrition and corruption. Several chapters link cost-benefit analysis to other techniques such as cost-effectiveness and impact evaluation. The book will be valuable to scholars wanting to do further research in the field, as well as to consumers of cost-benefit analysis - those who need to know the underpinnings of what their analysts give them.' -- Shanta Devarajan, The World Bank, US'This is a very nice and very useful set of articles on cost-benefit applications. The book will be particularly useful for students but also for professionals interested in keeping up with the state of applied work. I will use some of the articles in my class. Brent's introduction is also well done.' -- Richard O. Zerbe, University of Washington, USTable of ContentsContents: Preface PART I: INTRODUCTION 1. Overview of the Field and the Contributions in the Handbook Robert J. Brent PART II: MICROECONOMIC EVALUATIONS 2. Cost–Benefit Analysis for Health Peter Zweifel and Harry Telser 3. Cost–Benefit Analysis of Drug Abuse Treatment William S. Cartwright 4. Can Cost–Benefit Analysis Guide Education Policy in Developing Countries? Emmanuel Jimenez and Harry Anthony Patrinos 5. Cost–Benefit Analysis in Transport: Recent Developments in Rail Project Appraisal in Britain Chris Nash and James Laird 6. Cost–Benefit Analysis of Environmental Projects and the Role of Distributional Weights Robert J. Brent and Booi Themeli 7. Cost–Benefit Analysis Applied to Labour Market Programmes Michele Campolieti and Morley Gunderson 8. Regulation and Cost–Benefit Analysis Franco Papandrea 9. Can Cost–Benefit Analysis of Financial Regulation be Made Credible? Patrick Honohan PART III: MACROECONOMIC EVALUATIONS 10. The Welfare Effects of Inflation: A Cost–Benefit Perspective Karl-Heinz Tödter and Bernhard Manzke 11. Cost–Benefit Analysis of Economic Globalization Clem Tisdell 12. Poverty Alleviation Programs and their Impacts: A Survey Jyotsna Jalan 13. Too Hungry to Read: Is an Education Subsidy a Misguided Policy for Development? Parantap Basu 14. Project Finance and Cost–Benefit Analysis Peggy B. Musgrave 15. Cost–Benefit Analysis and the Evaluation of the Effects of Corruption on Public Projects Robert J. Brent PART IV: DYNAMIC EVALUATIONS 16. Social Security and Future Generations Hans Fehr and Øystein Thøgersen 17. Irreversible Investments: A Cost–Benefit Perspective Rati Ram and Rajeev K. Goel 18. Pro-Growth, Pro-Poor: Is There a Trade-off? J. Humberto Lopez 19. The Value of the 1964 Surgeon General’s Report Frank Chaloupka and Richard M. Peck Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe importance of agricultural growth to poverty reduction is well known, but the specific channels through which the poor can take advantage of growth require further research. Beyond Food Production takes on this challenge, investigating four important channels: rural labor markets, farm incomes, food prices, and linkages to other economic sectors. Using six developing country cases, this study elucidates the mechanisms linking agriculture growth to economic development and the wellbeing of the poor. The evidence shows that governments should view the sector's contribution in wider terms, recognizing both its interaction with other economic sectors, and that labor markets and trade policies can play a critical role in mediating agriculture's impact on poor households' incomes. To achieve effective rural poverty strategies the book calls for a broad economy-wide perspective on the role of agriculture in the overall growth process.This book will be of great interest to students of international agricultural development as well as economists and professionals serving in international development organizations.Trade Review'The book is an important contribution to understanding the nature of the linkages that could help agricultural growth reduce poverty in developing countries. . . The findings will be helpful for development planning in the future.' -- Frithjof Kuhnen, Quarterly Journal of International AgricultureTable of ContentsContents: PART I: SYNTHESIS AND THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 1. The Role of Agriculture in Poverty Reduction: A Synthesis of the Country Case Studies Fabrizio Bresciani and Alberto Valdés 2. Agricultural Growth and Poverty Reduction Ramón López PART II: COUNTRY CASE STUDIES 3. Chile Ramón López and Gustavo Anríquez 4. Mexico Isidro Soloaga and Mario Torres 5. India Manoj Panda 6. Indonesia Sudarno Sumarto and Asep Suryahadi 7. Ghana Ramatu M. Al-Hassan and John Baptist D. Jatoe 8. South Africa Johann Kirsten, Julian May, Sheryl Hendriks, Mike Lyne, Charles L. Machethe and Cecilia Punt Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisEntrepreneurial Growth in Industrial Districts illustrates that Industrial Districts (ID) have dramatically changed over the past three decades; the Marshallian notion of a cluster of small firms has been vastly transformed by the emergence of rapidly growing firms.This book stems from the contributors' academic and professional experience in the fields of Italian industrial districts, strategic management and entrepreneurship. The authors highlight the need to understand and identify how entrepreneurial growth can be effectively sustained in ID firms. Four case studies (Alessi, Geox, Illycaffe, Luxottica) are then utilized to demonstrate the process of ID firms' growth via the lens of corporate entrepreneurship.This unique book will be highly regarded by undergraduate students and researchers in the fields of entrepreneurship and industrial districts. Practitioners as entrepreneurs and policy makers will also find this book of great interest given the appealing domain of the book 'Made in Italy' and the substantial sections dedicated to case histories.Table of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction Part I: Industrial Districts and Firm-Level Entrepreneurship 2. Industrial Districts and Firms 3. The Concept of Firm-Level Entrepreneurship 4. Firm-Level Entrepreneurship as a Framework of Analysis Part II: Four Italian Cases 5. Alessi 6. Geox 7. Illycaffè 8. Luxottica Part III: Entrepreneurial Growth in Industrial Districts 9. Cross-case Analysis 10. Discussion and Conclusion References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisEcological Economics and Sustainable Development comprises a carefully chosen selection of some 25 articles, speeches, congressional testimonies, reviews, and critiques from the last ten years of Herman Daly's ever-illuminating work.This book seeks to identify the blind spots and errors in standard growth economics, alongside the corrections that ecological economics offers to better guide us toward a sustainable economy - one with deeper biophysical and ethical roots.Under the general heading of sustainability and ecological economics, many specific topics are here brought into relation with each other. These include: limits to growth; full-world versus empty-world economics; uneconomic growth; definitions of sustainability; peak oil; steady-state economics; allocation versus distribution versus scale issues; non-enclosure of rival goods and enclosure of non-rival goods; production functions and the laws of thermodynamics; OPEC and Kyoto; involuntary resettlement and development; resource versus value-added taxation; globalization versus internationalization; immigration; climate change; and the philosophical presuppositions of policy, including the policies suggested in connection with the topics above.This fascinating work will appeal to scholars and academics of ecological, environmental, development, and environmental resource economics and studies.Trade Review'This clear-thinking collection brings together 25 of Daly's essays, speeches, reviews and testimonials from the past decade. . . as a whole they provide a useful masterclass on the principles of ecological economics. Daly's vision, as well as his frustration with mainstream economists' refusal to engage with his arguments, comes through loud and clear.' -- New Scientist'It's hard to imagine ecological economics without the numerous and profound contributions of Herman Daly. These papers reveal the consistency of his analysis and clarity of exposition that have made him one of the most influential economists of his generation. Because of Herman Daly we have a much better understanding of how economies relate to the environment, why so much is wrong with this relationship and what must be done to fix it.' -- Peter Victor, York University, Canada'This thrilling compilation outlines the origins of the young discipline of ecological economics by the intellectual leader of the movement, Herman Daly. He recounts how, as a member of the recently demoted environment department at the World Bank, he integrated ecology with economics during his six years in the bowels of the beast. Herman lucidly and compellingly combines common sense with profound understanding of both economics and ecology to arrive at sustainable solutions to the global problematique. Herman's rigorous yet compassionate solutions to climate change, peak oil, globalization vs. internationalization, poverty reduction, and the unsung concept of scale leading to uneconomic growth, are precisely what we need to prevent the current liquidation of our beautiful world. This book will galvanize you into the action we need so much.' -- Robert Goodland, Environmental adviser, World Bank Group, 1978-2001'In this book, written in crystal clear style, Herman Daly reiterates the main points of his analysis and vision, he praises some teachers (John Ruskin, Frederick Soddy, Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, Kenneth Boulding), he fearlessly attacks some adversaries in the World Bank and MIT, and he offers some advice to the government of his own country, to the Russian Duma, and especially to OPEC that, if followed, would change the world very much for the better. Finally, on a different line of thought, he interrogates conservation biologists on their reasons for wanting to keep biodiversity since, as biologists, they claim that evolution has no particular purpose. Why not let the Sixth Great Extinction run its course? In other words, science cannot provide an ethics of conservation, which Herman Daly finds in religion more than in democratization deliberations.' -- Joan Martinez-Alier, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, SpainTable of ContentsContents: Introduction PART I: BASIC CONCEPTS AND IDEAS 1. Limits to Growth 2. Economics in a Full World 3. The Challenge of Ecological Economics: Historical Context and Some Specific Issues PART II: ISSUES WITH THE WORLD BANK 4. Sustainable Development: Definitions, Principles, Policies 5. The Illth of Nations: Comments on World Bank World Development Report, 2003 6. Can We Grow Our Way to an Environmentally Sustainable World? PART III: ISSUES IN ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 7. Consumption and Welfare: Two Views of Value Added 8. Ecological Economics: The Concept of Scale and its Relation to Allocation, Distribution, and Uneconomic Growth 9. Sustaining Our Commonwealth of Nature and Knowledge 10. The Steady-State Economy and Peak Oil 11. How Long Can Neoclassical Economists Ignore the Contributions of Georgescu-Roegen? PART IV: TESTIMONY AND OPINION 12. Off-Shoring in the Context of Globalization 13. Invited Testimony to Russian Duma on Resource Taxation 14. Involuntary Displacement: Efficient Reallocation or Unjust Redistribution? 15. Sustainable Development and OPEC PART V: REVIEWS AND CRITIQUES 16. Can Nineveh Repent Again? 17. Beck’s Case Against Immigration 18. Hardly Green 19. The Return of Lauderdale’s Paradox 20. When Smart People Make Dumb Mistakes PART VI: GLOBALIZATION 21. Globalization versus Internationalization, and Four Reasons Why Internationalization is Better 22. Population, Migration, and Globalization PART VII: PHILOSOPHY AND POLICY 23. Policy, Possibility, and Purpose 24. Feynman’s Unanswered Question 25. Roefie Hueting’s Perpendicular “Demand Curve” and the Issue of Objective Value 26. Conclusions Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe people of South Africa, and the African National Congress-led government, have made extraordinary social and economic advances since ending apartheid and beginning the transition to democracy in 1994. But the country still faces severe problems of mass unemployment, underemployment and poverty. This study, sponsored by the United Nations Development Program, presents a detailed economic program designed to produce major reductions in unemployment and poverty, and a general spreading of economic well-being, and to achieve these ends in a manner that is sustainable over a longer-term framework. The 'employment-targeted' program developed here builds from standard policy tools and initiatives already undertaken by the government in the areas of macroeconomic policy, development banking and large-scale credit subsidies, labor-intensive public investments, and social welfare expenditures. The authors introduce these measures alongside specific proposals in the areas of fiscal budgetary control, inflation control and exchange rate management. Students and scholars of development economics will find this analysis of South Africa's economy, and the authors' plan for stimulating job growth, of great interest.Trade Review'This is an exciting and stimulating work, and one that will leave its mark upon the work of social scientists and policymakers.' -- Lumkile Mondi, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa; and Presidential Economic Advisory Panel of South Africa'Investment in South Africa is low, real interest rates are high, the employment-intensity of growth has been relatively slow. The "employment-targeted program" advocated in this book seeks to reverse these tendencies by lowering average interest rates and channeling subsidized credit to labor-intensive, pro-poor activities, particularly small-scale agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises. This is a bold program and by challenging conventional "inflation-targeted" economic policy, the book makes a major contribution to the debate on economic policy in South Africa.' -- Keith B. Griffin, University of California-Riverside, USTable of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction 2. The Nature of Mass Unemployment in South Africa Today 3. Supply-Side Perspectives on Employment Expansion 4. A Policy Framework on Growth, Labor Intensity, and Poverty Reduction 5. Policy Interventions for an Employment-Targeted Program Appendix 1: Sources of Employment Data and Employment Elasticity Estimate Appendix 2: Macroeconomic Policy Factors and Private Investment in South Africa Appendix 3: Estimation of Consumption Function for South Africa Appendix 4: Input–Output Model and Employment Multipliers Appendix 5: Securities Transaction Taxes Around the World as of 2002 Appendix 6: South Africa Monetary Policy Alternatives: VAR-Based Simulation Models Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book begins with a theoretical examination of regional innovation systems, agglomeration economics and knowledge spillovers, before going on to examine the same concepts within an empirical framework. Special emphasis is given to the importance of proximity in the formation of regional innovation systems. It concludes by considering innovation and human capital as determinants of regional economic growth.The concept of knowledge spillovers is used within the book to explain a number of major economic phenomena, including the geographical clustering of inventions; the social returns to R&D that significantly exceed private returns; and the sizeable disproportions that exist between firms in terms of their R&D inputs and outputs. The contributors identify that small firms are responsible for far more product innovations than large firms relative to their measurable knowledge resources. The book also stresses the importance of a catch-up mechanism that sees technological improvement as the combination of two distinct types of activity: innovation and imitation. In this way, the impact of human capital and other types of knowledge acquisition on economic growth is measured. The conclusions of the contributors are invaluably oriented to policy implications.This book will appeal to researchers and postgraduate students of regional science and innovation and knowledge, as well as policymakers.Table of ContentsContents: Introduction Jordi Suriñach, Rosina Moreno and Esther Vayá PART I: REGIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEMS, AGGLOMERATION ECONOMIES AND KNOWLEDGE SPILLOVERS: THEORETICAL APPROACHES 1. Theorizing Regional Knowledge Capabilities: Economic Geography Under ‘Open Innovation’ Philip Cooke 2. Knowledge Spillovers and Organizational Heterogeneity: An Historical Overview of German Technology Sectors Mark Lehrer 3. The Ambivalent Role of Mimetic Behavior in Proximity Dynamics: Evidence from the French ‘Silicon Sentier’ Jérôme Vicente, Yan Dalla Pria and Raphaël Suire 4. IT Adoption, Industrial Structure and Agglomeration Economies Flora Bellone PART II: REGIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEMS, AGGLOMERATION ECONOMIES AND KNOWLEDGE SPILLOVERS: EMPIRICAL STUDIES 5. Pecuniary and Knowledge Externalities as Agglomeration Forces: Empirical Evidence from Individual French Data Corinne Autant-Bernard and Nadine Massard 6. The Adoption of ICTs – Why Does it Differ Across Regions? Andrea Bonaccorsi, Lucia Piscitello and Cristina Rossi 7. Novel Applications of Existing Econometric Instruments to Analyse Regional Innovation Systems: The Spanish Case Mikel Buesa, Mónica Martínez Pellitero, Thomas Baumart and Joost Heijs 8. Over-embeddedness and Under-exploration Issues in Cohesive Networks: An Application to Territorial Clusters Francesc Xavier Molina-Morales and María Teresa Martínez-Fernández 9. The Regional Dimension of University–Industry Interaction Joaquín M. Azagra Caro 10. Which Factors Underlie Public Selection of R&D Cooperative Projects? Lluís Santamaría Sánchez, Andrés Barge Gil and Aurelia Modrego Rico PART III: REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND KNOWLEDGE 11. Convergence Clubs and the Role of Education in Spanish Regional Growth Adriana Di Liberto 12. Non-linearities, Spatial Dependence and Regional Economic Growth in Europe: A Semiparametric Approach Roberto Basile 13. Urban Heterogeneity in Knowledge-related Economic Growth Frank G. van Oort and Otto Raspe Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book surveys the competing, or sometimes complementary, roles of the state and the market in shaping China's pattern of regional development during the Communist era. The uneven pace of industrialisation across China's provinces during its economic transition raises numerous questions regarding spatial patterns of industrial development in a developing, transitional economy. Jane Golley's book answers questions such as: Why have inter-regional inequalities in industrial development come to exist? Why are they tending to increase? How have regional policies and reform strategies impacted on these trends? How, if at all, can these trends be reversed? A comparative economic systems analysis of the Mao and Deng eras, combined with theoretical and empirical evidence of the disequilibrium nature of regional development, depicts the recent trend of rising inequality across China as being both inevitable and ongoing. The central government's 'Western Development Strategy' is assessed in this context.The most novel contribution of the book is the development of a framework for thinking about regional development and policy, which combines two distinct approaches - 'new' economic geography and comparative economic systems analysis - which can be used to understand patterns of regional development anywhere in the world. The application of this framework to regional development during the Mao and Deng eras provides a uniquely holistic and easy-to-read coverage of the topic.The Dynamics of Chinese Regional Development will appeal to undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Chinese economy. The book will also find an audience in scholars and researchers of Chinese and Asian studies more generally as well as students and scholars of economics, political economy and regional science.Trade Review'. . . Golley's book should and will become an important reference.' -- Yongnian Zheng, The China Journal'The work reflects a very sound understanding of the various debates in Chinese regional development studies . . . and the author does a good job of keeping her equations simple and truly understandable for the non-economist.' -- China Report'Three decades of spectacular economic growth have done little to ensure equity in the PRC's regional economic development. Since 1999 the Chinese Communist Party, primarily for social and political reasons has come to recognize the importance of these imbalances. A serious of remedial measures have been adopted in terms of regional development strategies for the West and the Northeast. Understanding the importance of regional economic development in general and of specific regional development strategies requires a deep analysis of the dynamics of development, in particular the determinants of industrialisation, not least in order to appreciate the viability of proposed changes. Jane Golley delivers a first rate examination of the PRC's regional economic development strategies since 1949, providing an emphasis to assist an understanding of current development.' -- David Goodman, University of Technology, Sydney, AustraliaTable of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction 2. Regional Patterns of Industrial Development in a Market Economy 3. Comparative Economic Systems and the Role of Government 4. China’s Manufacturing Core 5. Mao Zedong and Nature versus Nurture 6. Deng Xiaoping and Nature versus Nurture 7. Core–Periphery Dynamics 8. The Western Development Strategy 9. Conclusions References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisTerutomo Ozawa examines Japan's once celebrated post-war economic success from a new perspective. He applies a 'flying geese' model of industrial upgrading in a country that is still catching-up, to explore the rise, fall and rebound of Japanese industry with its evolving institutions and policies. The book brings together and expands upon theories developed in the author's work over many years, using them as building blocks for his flying geese model. Concepts explored include: economics of hierarchical concatenation, increasing factor incongruity, comparative advantage (or market) recycling the Ricardo-Hicksian trap of industrial production, Smithian growth elan, triumvirate pro-trade structural transformation knowledge creation versus knowledge diversion, the price-knowledge/industry-flow mechanism 'a la David Hume' he syndrome of institutional incongruity, and socially justifiable moral hazard versus degenerative moral hazard. The dynamic process of industrial upgrading is analysed in detail, and important lessons for both developing and transition economies are highlighted. This fascinating book will attract a wide-ranging readership, encompassing practitioners and academics interested in international business, economic development, trade, and political science. In addition, sociologists focussing on business and industry, and researchers on, and policymakers in, developing and transition economies will also find this book of immense interest.Trade Review'. . . the book reviewed here will trigger a further interest in this area of research, and will invite more researchers to seek empirical evidence in the study of post-war industrial growth in Japan.' -- Hiroshi Ohashi, Journal of the Japanese and International Economies'This book provides a theoretically informed and empirically illustrative account of modern Japanese industrialization. Ozawa's translation of classical political economy to the Japanese context is both original and accessible and is a welcome addition to the literature on the Japanese variety of capitalism.' -- Tim Reiffenstein, Pacific Affairs'Ozawa succeeds in extending, building up, and joining the Akamatsu-Kojima lineage of this unique Japan-born theory of economic development from a fresh, unconventional, and discerning perspective.' -- From the foreword by Kiyoshi KojimaTable of ContentsContents: Foreword by Kiyoshi Kojima Preface Part I: Post-WWII Growth Clustering and Japan as a Second Goose 1. Hegemon-Led Growth Clustering and the Flying-Geese Paradigm of Catch-up Growth Part II: Out of, and Beyond, the Limit of Borrowed Knowledge and Home-Spun Goods 2. Labor-Driven Stage – and Logic – of Reconstruction 3. Scale-Driven Stage – and Logic – of Modernizing Heavy and Chemical Industries: A High Growth Period 4. Assembly-Driven Stage – and Logic – of Industrial Upgrading 5. Knowledge-Driven Stage – and Logic – of Catch-up Growth 6. IT-Driven Stage – and Logic – of New Growth 7. Analytics and Stylized Features of Structural Transformation: Additional Theoretical Expositions Part III: Changes in Institutions and Industrial Organization: Toward the Reform-Driven, M&A-Active Period of Growth 8. Network Capitalism: Industrial Organization in Evolution 9. Out of an Institutional Quagmire? International Business to the Rescue Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisPolitical Institutions and Development challenges the cliche that 'good institutions' are essential for sustainable socio-economic development by focusing on the need to adapt potential solutions to local conditions. The authors argue that there is no one optimal institutional design that can be successfully applied to any country. The macro- and micro-level studies contained in this book demonstrate that institutions are highly context-dependent and time-sensitive and must be tailored to local conditions. Specifically, law and order, effective governance, ethnic sensitivity, a supporting political culture, civil rights, and individual opportunities to participate in decision-making are also necessary. With its global perspective, this book explores the relationship between political institutions and development from such diverse regions as the Commonwealth of Independent States, East and South Asia, and Latin America.This book will appeal to scholars and researchers in political science, economics, political economy, development studies and globalization. It will also find a wider audience amongst policymakers, development agencies and policy communities throughout the world.Table of ContentsContents: Introduction: What Matters for Institutions’ Effect on Development: Conditions and Qualifications Natalia Dinello and Vladimir Popov PART I: MACROPOLITICAL INSTITUTIONS: DEMOCRACY, FEDERALISM, DECENTRALIZATION AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE 1. Development and the Limits of Institutional Design Francis Fukuyama 2. Democracy and Poverty Reduction: Explorations on the Sen Conjecture Luca Barbone, Louise Cord, Katy Hull and Justin Sandefur 3. Democratization, Institutional Quality and Economic Growth Victor Polterovich and Vladimir Popov 4. Federalism and Political Centralization Ruben Enikolopov and Ekaterina Zhuravskaya 5. Democracy and State Effectiveness Shaoguang Wang PART II: PARTICIPATION AND GOVERNANCE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL: SUCCESSES AND FAILURES 6. Has Forest Co-management in Malawi Benefited the Poor? Charles B.L. Jumbe and Arild Angelsen 7. Participation and Joint Forest Management in Andhra Pradesh, India Bhagirath Behera and Stefanie Engel 8. Clientelism, Public Workfare and the Emergence of the Piqueteros in Argentina Lucas Ronconi and Ignacio Franceschelli Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book provides a compilation of policy, institutional and governance recommendations from eighteen leading international experts, in response to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) finding that over the last 50 years humans have degraded ecosystems services at a faster rate and on a larger scale than at any time in human history. The MEA provided the most comprehensive examination ever undertaken of the conditions and trends of ecosystems.By design, the MEA stopped short of prescribing policy recommendations. With this in mind, the international contributors have been drawn from diverse backgrounds to review the MEA findings and define a global action agenda for governments, businesses, international organizations, civil society, and research organizations. The book encompasses recommendations on a local, national and global scale.Policies for Sustainable Governance of Global Ecosystem Services: proposes an action agenda for integrating ecosystem considerations into development decisions focuses on ecosystem services as the benefits people receive from nature seeks to change the focus from how to protect ecosystems from development to how to invest in ecosystems for development represents earliest thinking on a global action agenda for reversing ecosystem degradation and promoting more robust development. This book is aimed at professionals, academics and researchers working in the environmental and development fields including advanced undergraduates and graduates of environmental, ecosystem and development studies. It will also be of great value to civil society organizations and environmental research organizations as well as policymakers themselves and the interested lay reader.Table of ContentsContents: Editor’s Introduction Action Agenda for Sustaining Ecosystem Services Frances Irwin and Janet Ranganathan PART I: INCORPORATING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES INTO DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND PRACTICE 1. Mainstreaming and Implementing the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Results by Integrating them into Sustainable Development Strategy: Applying the Action Impact Matrix Methodology Mohan Munasinghe 2. Development, Ecosystems and Governance: What are the Priorities for Policy Makers? Antonio La Vina 3. To Change Global Change: Ecosystem Transformation and Conflict in the 21st Century Nicolás J. Lucas, Iokiñe Rodriguez and Hernán Darío Correa 4. Putting the Assessment into Action: Six Steps for Governments Lailai Li 5. From Assessment to Action: Operationalizing Environmental Sustainability at the National Level Guido Schmidt-Traub and Albert Cho 6. Environmental Policy Priorities for the World Bank Robert Goodland PART II: USING NEW TOOLS AND SKILLS 7. A Scenarios Approach to Developing Ecosystem Management Strategies Mark E. Bateman 8. The Implications of Interdisciplinary Scientific Assessments for Environmental Governance Richard B. Norgaard 9. Looking Back and Ahead in Ecosystems: Reflections on the Lessons of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Anthony C. Janetos 10. Policy Actions to Help Move Us Towards Ecosystem Security Karin M. Krchnak 11. Framing the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Messages for Political Resonance Frances Seymour PART III: BUILDING INSTITUTIONS TO SUSTAIN ECOSYSTEM SERVICES 12. Meeting the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Challenge: The Case for Biome Stewardship Councils Sudhir Chella Rajan 13. Smart Globalization: Opportunities for Business, Scientific and Political Leadership David Jhirad 14. A Commission to Spur Investments in Ecosystem Services for the Poor Frances Irwin Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis important book offers valuable insights into the process of economic reform in developing countries. It is organized around three dimensions that are deemed critical to the success of reform programs. According to Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, these key factors are Reach, Range, and Reason. 'Reach' refers to the ability of reform to be person-centered and evenhanded, reaching all individuals in society. 'Range' considers the institutional reforms and policy changes necessary to implement change and the possible ripple effects on other policies and populations. Finally, 'Reason' captures the importance of constantly asking why a particular reform has been selected. By analyzing the reform process from this particular perspective, the chapters in this book illustrate the success of this approach with specific examples prepared by authors from developing and transition countries and, in doing so, reveal the breadth of knowledge and home-grown expertise in the developing and transition world.Among academics, the book will appeal to those teaching courses in political economy, development studies, globalization, and public policy. It will also be of great interest to policy-oriented researchers and policymakers at international institutions, think tanks and policy research institutes, as well as at development agencies, ministries and departments.Table of ContentsContents: Foreword: The Three Rs of Reform by Amartya Sen Introduction by José María Fanelli and Lyn Squire PART I: REACH: PERSON-CENTERED, EVENHANDED 1. Economic Transition and Income Distribution in Hungary, 1987–2001 István György Tóth 2. Socioeconomic Vulnerability and Trade Liberalization: Cross-Country Evidence in Central and Eastern Europe Pierluigi Montalbano, Alessandro Federici, Carlo Pietrobelli and Umberto Triulzi 3. Market Failures in Human Development: The Intergenerational Poverty Trap in Mexico David Mayer-Foulkes PART II: RANGE: INSTITUTIONAL REFORM, POLICY CHANGE 4. Government Policies and FDI Inflows of Asian Developing Countries: Empirical Evidence Rashmi Banga 5. The Effect of Free-Trade Agreements on Foreign Direct Investment and Property Rights Protection Lorenza Martínez Trigueros and Roberto Romero Hidalgo 6. Attending School, Reading, Writing and Child Work in Rural Ethiopia Assefa Admassie and Arjun Singh Bedi PART III: REASON: STRATEGIES, NOT SLOGANS 7. Declining Primary School Enrollment in Kenya Arjun Singh Bedi, Paul K. Kimalu, Damiano Kulundu Manda and Nancy Nafula 8. Shock Therapy versus Gradualism Reconsidered: Lessons from Transition Economies Vladimir Popov 9. Enhancing Income Opportunities for the Rural Poor: The Benefits of Rural Roads Javier Escobal and Carmen Ponce 10. The Performance of State-Owned Enterprises and Newly Privatized Firms: Does Privatization Really Matter? Mohammed Omran Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisHIV/AIDS is much too complex a phenomenon to be understood only by reference to common sense and ethical codes. This book presents the cost?benefit analysis (CBA) framework in a well-researched and accessible manner to ensure that the most important considerations are recognized and incorporated. This book argues that HIV/AIDS policies need to be evidence based and that CBA is the best way to assemble and summarize the evidence. The work explains why CBA is needed and highlights a number of myths, misinformation and counterintuitive results in the field, and critiques the Millennium Development Goals approach. It also presents HIV/AIDS as a hunger issue in sub-Saharan Africa and as a sexual transmission problem in the US. The roles of nutrition, income, education, religion, agricultural policy, concurrency and sexual networks are all examined. Robert Brent explains the main cost?benefit methods and applications, including threshold analysis, willingness to pay, cost minimization, cost-effectiveness, human capital theory and the value of a statistical life. Applications cover female education, possible vaccines, condoms, and various forms of treatment. He concludes by explaining how CBA incorporates social considerations such as equity.With timely and controversial discussions, this book will be read with interest by AIDS activists, NGO members, policy-makers and public officials, as well as being accessible to non-economists interested in the subject of HIV/AIDS.Trade Review‘Professor Brent’s book is a superlative addition to the HIV/AIDS policy literature. Both non-specialists and specialists in policy evaluation will benefit from the lucid exposition of cost–benefit analysis (CBA) methods applied to the most critical and far-reaching problem that challenges social institutions and individual behavior. Essentially, Professor Brent has taken his vast experience in cost–benefit analysis, and on the ground African research, to apply CBA in a compelling and insightful manner. This book re-examines HIV/AIDS policy in Sub-Saharan countries where the devastation is an infection tsunami. . . Finding what actually works may be difficult, but Professor Brent argues persuasively that using a CBA framework is the best approach.’ -- William S. Cartwright, George Mason University, USTable of ContentsContents: Preface PART I: WHY COST–BENEFIT ANALYSIS IS NEEDED TO SET HIV/AIDS PRIORITIES 1. Introduction to the Book 2. Why Not Just Simply do What is Right and Try to Save Lives? 3. Myths and Misinformation 4. Counterintuitive Results 5. What is Wrong with Setting any Targets? 6. What is Wrong with Setting the Particular MDG Targets? 7. Cost–Benefit Analysis 101 8. Cost–Benefit Analysis 201 PART II: HIV/AIDS AS A HUNGER AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUE 9. Introduction to Part II 10. HIV and Hunger 11. Nutrition and HIV at the Individual Level 12. Nutrition and HIV at the Country Level 13. Income as a Factor Raising HIV Rates 14. Education as a Factor Raising HIV Rates 15. Islam as a Factor Lowering HIV Rates 16. Impact of HIV on Agricultural Households 17. Agricultural Policy and HIV Interventions 18. Sex and HIV I: The Role of Transmission 19. Sex and HIV II: The Role of Concurrency 20. Sex and HIV III: The Role of Networks PART III: COST–BENEFIT METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 21. Introduction to Part III 22. Threshold Analysis Theory 23. Threshold Analysis Practice: The Effectiveness of HIV Education 24. Threshold Analysis Practice: The Benefits of Avoiding HIV 25. Threshold Analysis Practice: The Costs of a Possible HIV/AIDS Vaccine 26. Willingness to Pay Theory 27. Willingness to Pay Practice: The Benefits of Condoms 28. Cost Minimization Theory 29. Cost Minimization Practice: The Costs of Treating TB 30. Cost-Effectiveness Theory 31. Cost-Effectiveness Practice: The Benefits of ARVs 32. Human Capital Theory 33. Human Capital Practice: The Benefits of Female Primary Education 34. Value of a Statistical Life Theory 35. Value of a Statistical Life Practice: The Benefits of VCT PART IV: SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN CBA 36. Introduction to IV 37. Commodification: Everything is Seen as a Commodity to be Bought and Sold 38. What is So “Social” About CBA? Fundamentals of CBA 39. Social and Private Perspectives in CBA 40. CBA and Equity I: Allowing for Ability to Pay 41. CBA and Equity II: Allocating by Time and Other Non-Price Methods 42. Conclusions I: How Not to Set Priorities for HIV 43. Conclusions II: Using CBA to Set Priorities for HIV References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe debate on whether high standards of labour market legislation affect economic growth and the rate of employment is topical and important. Thecontributors to this book address three main issues: how Taiwan's labour market was able to work so well prior to 1996 maintaining full employment for the last 40 years, regardless of the rapid change of industrial structure in the 1980s what factors can be attributed to the rapid deterioration of Taiwan's labour market performance since 1996 the measures adopted by the Taiwan government in tackling the recent high unemployment rate, how effective these policies are and what lessons scholars and public policy makers in other countries can learn from Taiwan's experience. An integrated labour market model (a revision of the Harris-Todaro dualistic labour market model) is presented which can be used to analyze labour market operation in other developing countries. The effectiveness of various policies adopted by the Taiwanese government in tackling high unemployment rates are examined and the findings shed light on public policies in other developing and newly industrialized countries. The Labour Market and Economic Development of Taiwan will appeal to scholars of Asian studies, public policy, economic development and labour economists.Table of ContentsContents: Foreword Preface PART I: EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT IN A FLEXIBLE LABOUR MARKET 1. Labour Market Flexibility and Employment: An Overview Joseph S. Lee 2. Taiwan’s Changing Employment and Earnings Structure Gary S. Fields 3. Education and Taiwan’s Changing Employment and Earnings Structure Gary S. Fields and Amanda Newton Kraus 4. Taiwan’s Private Sector Labour Market Prior to 1996 Gary S. Fields PART II: EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT IN A REGULATED AND GLOBALIZED LABOUR MARKET 5. Cyclical Employment Changes in Taiwanese Industry Christina Y. Liu, Wei-Chiao Huang and Chia-Wei Wang 6. Industrial Change and Structural Unemployment in Taiwan Chung-Chi Wu 7. The Deterioration of Employment: Regional Unemployment Dynamics Feng-Fuh Jiang and Paul K.C. Liu 8. The Role of Foreign Workers in Taiwan’s Economic Development Joseph S. Lee 9. Involuntary Job Turnover in Taiwan, 1996–2000 Ji-Ping Lin PART III: LABOUR MARKET POLICIES IN THE NEW KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY 10. Employee Training Programmes and Sustainable Employability Joseph S. Lee and Ping-Lung Hsin 11. Employment Insurance and Unemployment in Taiwan Yang Shih 12. Evaluating Taiwan’s Public Service Employment Programme Chao-Yin Lin and Mei Hsu Index

Read more less