Search

Begin New Search Topic Economics

4271. Distributional Conflict, the State, and Peacebuilding in Burundi

Author:
Léonce Ndikumana
Publication Date:
08-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
This paper examines the causes of conflict in Burundi and discusses strategies for building peace. The analysis of the complex relationships between distribution and group dynamics reveals that these relationships are reciprocal, implying that distribution and group dynamics are endogenous. The nature of endogenously generated group dynamics determines the type of preferences (altruistic or exclusionist), which in turn determines the type of allocative institutions and policies that prevail in the political and economic system. While unequal distribution of resources may be socially inefficient, it nonetheless can be rational from the perspective of the ruling elite, especially because inequality perpetuates dominance. However, as the unequal distribution of resources generates conflict, maintaining a system based on inequality is difficult because it requires ever increasing investments in repression. It is therefore clear that if the new Burundian leadership is serious about building peace, it must engineer institutions that uproot the legacy of discrimination and promote equal opportunity for social mobility for all members of ethnic groups and regions.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Economics, and Peace Studies
Political Geography:
Africa and Burundi

4272. Trade Openness and Vulnerability in Central and Eastern Europe

Author:
Pierluigi Montalbano, Alessandro Federici, Umberto Triulzi, and Carlo Pietrobelli
Publication Date:
06-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
This paper offers a substantive contribution to the debate on the role of international trade on the development of emerging countries. The aim is to detect empirically the phenomenon of vulnerability induced by trade openness. The methodology adopts a forward-looking approach and tries to fill a missing link in the theory between trade shocks, volatility, and the wellbeing of countries, distinguishing between 'normal' and 'extreme' volatility.
Topic:
Development, Economics, Globalization, and International Trade and Finance
Political Geography:
Eastern Europe

4273. Financial Sector Structure and Financial Crisis Burden: A Model Based on the Russian Default of 1998

Author:
George Mavrotas and Dmitri Vinogradov
Publication Date:
06-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
We consider an overlapping generations model with two production factors and two types of agents in the presence of financial intermediation and its application to the Russian default of August 1998. The paper focuses on the analysis of the consequences of a sudden negative repayments shock on financial intermediation capacity and consequently on the economy as a whole. The model exhibits a 'chain reaction' property, when a single macroeconomic shock can lead to the exhaustion of credit resources and to the subsequent collapse of the whole banking system. To maintain the capability of the system to recover, regulatory intervention is needed even in the presence of the state guarantees on agents' deposits in the banks (workout incentives). We compare the results for an intermediated economy with those derived under the assumption of a market economy, and draw some broad conclusions on the consequences of the crises, which are contingent on the financial sector structure.
Topic:
Development, Economics, Emerging Markets, and International Trade and Finance
Political Geography:
Russia

4274. Channels and Policy Debate in the Globalization-Inequality-Poverty Nexus

Author:
Erik Thorbecke and Machiko Nissanke
Publication Date:
06-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
The paper offers a critical literature review of the debate surrounding the globalization-poverty nexus, focusing on channels and linkages through which globalization affects the poor. After introducing four different concepts used to measure trends in world income inequality, it examines first the 'growth' conduit through which globalization affects poverty. Treating inequality as the explicit filter between growth and poverty reduction, the causal chain of openness-growth-inequality-poverty is scrutinized, link by link. The paper then moves on to examine other channels in the globalization-poverty nexus that operate through changes in relative factor and good prices, factor movements, the nature of technological change and diffusion, the impact of globalization on volatility and vulnerability, the worldwide flow of information, global disinflation, and institutions, respectively. The paper concludes with a discussion of strategic policy issues within the context of the globalization debate.
Topic:
International Relations, Economics, Globalization, and Poverty

4275. Economic Agendas in Civil Wars: What We Know, What We Need to Know

Author:
Heiko Nitzschke and David M. Malone
Publication Date:
07-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
The political economy of civil wars has acquired unprecedented scholarly and policy attention. Among others, the International Peace Academy's programme on Economic Agendas in Civil Wars (EACW) has aimed to contribute to a better understanding of the complex dynamics of civil war economies and has identified areas for policy development critical for improved conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and postconflict peacebuilding. While much of the earlier debate on the economic dimensions has been polarized around the 'greed versus grievance' dichotomy, there is now a better understanding of how economic dynamics can influence the onset, character, and duration of armed conflicts. This paper discusses key research findings and their policy relevance, provides a preliminary assessment of policy efforts to address the economic dimensions of conflict and conflict transformation, and offers some issues for further research and policy action.
Topic:
Civil War, Development, Economics, and Political Economy

4276. The Volatility of Aid

Author:
George Mavrotas and David Fielding
Publication Date:
06-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
Issues related to the volatility of aid flows are now becoming crucial in view of their relevance to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The paper examines aid volatility using data for 66 aid recipients over the period 1973-2002. We improve upon earlier work in this important area by disaggregating total aid inflows into sector and programme aid. In this way we avoid focussing on a single aggregate, unlike most previous studies on aid volatility. We also adopt a different methodology to capture aid volatility. The institutional quality of the aid recipient affects the stability of sector aid but not that of programme assistance. Moreover, more open economies, which tend to be smaller and richer, ceteris paribus, are associated with more volatile sector aid flows.
Topic:
International Relations, Economics, International Cooperation, and Poverty

4277. Post-Conflict Recovery: Does the Global Economy Work for Peace?

Author:
Tony Addison
Publication Date:
06-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
Countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Angola, and Sierra Leone are now attempting to recover from major wars, often amidst continuing insecurity. The challenge is to achieve a broad-based recovery that benefits the majority of people. The economic and social recovery of conflict-affected countries cannot be separated from their interaction with the rest of the world through flows of finance, goods, and people. Unfortunately, the global economy is not working well for peace. Trade reform, in particular, must take account of the need to create better, and non-violent, livelihoods for the world's poor: rich-country protectionism in agriculture hinders broad-based recovery and thereby harms the new international security agenda. Post-conflict economies also need more external finance to support early institutional development and reform, thereby increasing the effectiveness of longer-term aid inflows.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Economics, and Globalization
Political Geography:
Afghanistan, Middle East, Sierra Leone, and Angola

4278. Decent Work and the Informal Economy

Author:
Anne Trebilcock
Publication Date:
04-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
The ILO was founded for social justice, a mandate expressed today in terms of decent work as a global goal, for all who work, whether in formal or informal contexts. In June 2002, the delegates to the International Labour Conference from governments, workers' and employers' organizations adopted a resolution incorporating conclusions on decent work and the informal economy. The four components of decent work – opportunities for employment and income, respect for rights at work, social protection and stronger social dialogue – form the backbone of the ILO's approach to the informal economy. These elements can also be seen through a development lens, and necessarily feature a strong gender dimension. To make the action foreseen by the ILC conclusions more easily operational in a cross-disciplinary way, the issues they address can be cast in terms of macro policy, governance, enhancement of productivity, markets and employment, social protection/addressing vulnerabilities, and representation and voice. All play key roles in poverty reduction. Moreover, recognizing the importance of measuring progress towards decent work, developments in relation to indicators are briefly described. This paper includes annexes reproducing the ILC conclusions along with two relevant resolutions adopted by the International Conference of Labour Statisticians and a list of ILO websites that address various aspects of decent work and the informal economy.
Topic:
International Relations, Civil Society, Economics, and Government

4279. A Macro Policy for Poverty Eradication through Structural Change

Author:
Rehman Sobhan
Publication Date:
03-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
This paper argues that poverty originates in the structural injustices of a social order which incapacitates the poor from participating in the growth generating sectors of the economy and leaves them captives in the so called informal sector, characterized by low productivity and low earning capacity. In such a system the poor remain individualized and hence disempowered which compels them to interface with the market economy on highly inequitable terms which relegates them to the lowest tiers of the value addition chain. The need for a macro-policy designed to eliminate poverty is premised on the argument that poverty originates in the structural features of society which can only be addressed at the macro-level. Policy interventions, to redesign the structural sources of poverty, bring into consideration issues of social, political as well as economic reform.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Development, Economics, and Poverty

4280. From Local to Global and Informal to Formal: Entering Mainstream Markets

Author:
Reema Nanavaty
Publication Date:
02-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
This is a brief sketch of the Self Employed Women's Association's (SEWA) three-decade-long journey from the local to global and informal to formal sector in search of finding work and income for now 720,000 women workers. Though SEWA remains a local and an informal economy workers' organization, its aim has always been to mainstream its issues, hopes, and achievements.
Topic:
International Relations, Economics, Emerging Markets, and International Trade and Finance