Publishing Institution: United States Agency for International Development / Political Geography: Asia

Author:: Steve Gale
Publication Date:: 02-2002
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: United States Agency for International Development
Abstract:: A USAID wastewater treatment project improved Moscow's drinking water and its companion watershed development project advanced environmental education in the districts near Moscow. A third project in Volgograd failed to build a viable air quality monitoring program to curb pollution. Sustainability and replicability were undercut by failure to plan for replication from the outset and promotion of state-of-the-art (rather than appropriate) technology. Lack of good baseline data and the inability to distinguish results stemming from the projects from those related to the economic downturn made independent assessment of project effectiveness difficult.
Topic:: Environment, Human Welfare, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:: Russia, Europe, Asia, and Moscow

Author:: Donald G. McClelland and Mark Hodges
Publication Date:: 08-2001
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: United States Agency for International Development
Abstract:: An emerging industrial power, India faces major pollution problems. USAID has undertaken to help abate the release of emissions and effluents into the air and water using American technologies—thus helping U.S. firms as well. Significant success has been observed, but lack of solid baseline data obscures the actual extent of USAID's role.
Topic:: Economics, Environment, Human Welfare, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:: America, South Asia, India, and Asia

Author:: Matthew Addison, Mark Hodges, Steven Gale, and Nick Wedeman
Publication Date:: 07-2001
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: United States Agency for International Development
Abstract:: Since the official dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has moved forward to make the difficult transition to open markets and more democratic institutions. The journey toward a complete restructuring of the Russian economy and an adoption of wide-ranging political reforms has been perilous. Political instability continues, crime and corruption have become more widespread, and economic conditions show little sign of improving quickly. Efforts to privatize state-held industries, initially seen as wildly successful, have now met with resistance, and full citizen involvement in government is far from complete.
Topic:: Development, Economics, Environment, Human Welfare, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:: Russia, Europe, and Asia

Author:: Catherine G. Corey
Publication Date:: 07-2001
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: United States Agency for International Development
Abstract:: The fiscal crisis that struck India in 1991, as the result of myriad internal and external factors, compelled the nation to adopt a series of economic reforms and liberalization policies. The genesis of the fiscal crisis lay partly in the highly protected domestic economy that maintained extensive subsidization, licensing and investment regulations, thus placing considerable burdens on the expenditures of the central government. Compounding this problem was a rapidly expanding current account deficit that had grown over time as import demand steadily increased and exports and foreign investment lagged. These conditions, in combination with external factors, generated a severe balance of payments crisis in which India came perilously close to defaulting on loans from international lenders. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and Financial Minister Manmohan Singh, the Indian government initiated a series of macroeconomic reforms. This included reductions in fiscal expenditure, privatization of state-run industries, promotion of foreign investment, and liberalization of international trade policy.
Topic:: Development, Economics, International Trade and Finance, and Poverty
Political Geography:: South Asia and Asia

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