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1. Somalia After State Collapse: Chaos or Improvement?

Author:
Benjamin Powell, Alex Nowrasteh, and Ryan Ford
Publication Date:
11-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Independent Institute
Abstract:
Many people believe that Somalia's economy has been in chaos since the collapse of its national government in 1991. We take a comparative institutional approach to examine Somalia's performance relative to other African countries both when Somalia had a government and during its extended period of anarchy. We find that although Somalia is poor, its relative economic performance has improved during its period of statelessness. We also describe how Somalia has provided basic law and order and a currency, which have enabled the country to achieve the coordination that has led to improvements in its standard of living.
Topic:
Development, Economics, and Government
Political Geography:
Africa and Somalia

2. Development Aid and Economic Freedom: Are They Related?

Author:
Benjamin Powell and Matt Ryan
Publication Date:
05-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Independent Institute
Abstract:
For more than 50 years individual countries and international agencies have given aid to third world countries to promote economic development, yet poverty still persists in many recipient nations. In recent years development economists and agencies have increasingly recognized the importance of institutions that support property rights and economic freedom in promoting development. Nevertheless, nations continue to provide aid to less developed countries. This raises two important questions. Does the receipt of aid lead to increases or decreases in economic freedom, and are increases in economic freedom rewarded with more aid or punished with reduced aid?
Topic:
Development, Economics, Government, and Poverty