Book Description

To understand Africa, you have to understand Nigeria, and few Americans understand Nigeria better than Karl Maier. In the tradition of Philip Gourevitch's bestselling We Regret to Inform You... and Redmond O'Hanlon's No Mercy, This House Has Fallen is a bracing, disturbing, evocative report on the state of Africa's most populous, potentially richest, and most dangerously dysfunctional nation.

Each year, with depressing consistency, Nigeria is declared the most corrupt state in the entire world. A nation into which billions of dollars of oil money flow, Nigeria's per capita income has dramatically fallen in the past two decades. All of the money has been stolen by elites. Also stolen has been democracy. Nigeria's leaders tend to elect themselves, often with the help of a gun. Military coup follows military coup. A rare democratic election is often merely a prelude to the next seizure of power by a general who wants greater access to the state's rapidly depleted vaults. A country of rising ethnic tensions and falling standards of living, Nigeria is a bellwether for Africa. And yet some think it is on the verge of utter collapse, a collapse that could overshadow even the massacres in Rwanda.

A brilliant piece of reportage and travel writing, this book looks into the Nigerian abyss and comes away with insight, profound conclusions, and even some hope. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Quo Vadis Nigeria...
I grew up in Nigeria, my mother being an Ibo woman from Bendel (now Delta) state. Karl Maier has captured the essence of the country without waste or want: this beautiful country is in deep trouble. It doesn't take much genius to see this but Maier has gone one step further (a step the country's leaders have been unable or unwilling to take all these years) and suggested a solution to the problems (read the book to find out) and that's really where this book shines. It is a thought-provoking treatise but more than this, it is a call to action and action is what Nigeria and Nigerians need; action in the right direction!

This House Has Fallen
This is an excellent work that presents Nigeria in a more complete and authentic way than any Nigerian author could have done. For one thing, Karl Maier's access to notable players in the wired Nigerian saga seems so broad and complete that even the best of African historians must feel somewhat humbled. The book is candid, factual and umbiased and tells the country's story in a style that easily catches the interest of a world that has grown apathetic to the plight of a very well-endowed nation with an unbelievable capacity for economic and political rambling .

Lots of Problems
I do think that the author had good intentions when he embarked on this endeavor, and there are some interesting anecdotes. I like the way he attempts to look at different aspects of Nigeria in every chapter: faith, ethnicity, etc. However he did not sufficiently contextualize the problems Nigeria faces in terms of Nigerian history or put them in their global economic contemporary context, either.
Someone might argue that he could only include some things and not others but as someone who teaches African history I can only emphasize how crucial it is to fully explain Nigeria's colonial past, the way it was governed etc. if you want to understand why there is such deeply rooted regionalism there and so many awful divisions. Maier only makes brief reference to "divide and rule" tactics of the British but even the one example he gives shows how devastating and bizarre and destructive colonial tactics were. Of course, that gets all of one paragraph, unlike the tireless accounts of seemingly senseless violence. Same with his mentioning that Shell oil funded all kinds of conflicts. He'll mention these things and then put all the blame on Nigerians.
Unfortunately there are so many untrue prejudices about Africa, that any book like this just feeds the fire of "Afro-pessimism" as it has been called: namely, Africans "can't govern themselves". The book contains a lot of stories of disorder and strife rather than emphasizing the resilience of the human spirit or how many democratic activist movements there really have been.
Any time you have something like this it's "reporting", not analysis. And this is a good series of articles but NOT a good introduction to the topic. Nigerians aren't scary, but the position that impoverished nations are in today is terrifying, and if we just cloud the real issues at stake by marveling at how "savage" the "dark continent" is we'll lose sight of the fact that Nigerians are people just like us-but without the infrastructure or funds to check massive corruption at the highest levels of government. And that's what colonialism did, create a parasitic elite. So if we really want to solve Nigeria's problems, why don't we stop blaming Nigerians and marveling at their dilemmas and instead help come up with solutions?

This rivals the experience accounted at bahiasun.com
I was impressed... here is an outsider who has managed to secure and lay down the "facts" around the demise of the geographical area known as Nigeria. It paints a picture of dismay, butreads very well. Can't blame the author.

the standard popular introduction to contemporary Nigeria
An accessible account of contemporary Nigeria. Maier is a good storyteller (gets the hook of Gen. Sani Abacha overdosing on viagra into the first chapter) but the book is more than mere sensationalism. It is good on the multitudinous conflicts in Ogoniland which culminated in the execution of playwright Ken Saro-Wiwa; and is quite good on the constitutional maneuverings that have led to the introduction of Islamic sharia law in several northern states. Should be the standard popular introduction to contemporary Nigeria. ... Read more

Book Description

In this provocative, important study, Dali Yang examines a wide range of governance reforms in the People's Republic of China, including administrative rationalization, divestiture of businesses operated by the military, and the building of anticorruption mechanisms, to analyze how China's leaders have reformed existing institutions and constructed new ones to cope with unruly markets, curb corrupt practices, and bring about a regulated economic order.

Though still a work in progress, taken together these reforms, Yang argues, have improved the institutional environment for economic development and altered the landscape for China’s ongoing struggle against rampant corruption.These measures are also likely to have important implications for the exercise of governmental authority and for China’s future political development.As China’s role on the world stage expands, the way the Chinese state conducts itself assumes increasing importance not just for those concerned about the welfare of the Chinese people but also for those interested in China’s role in regional and world affairs.For readers interested in either China’s domestic development or in the country’s foreign relations, this timely volume offers much food for thought. ... Read more

Book Description

"What do you want?" is a constant query put to economic and globalization activists decrying current poverty, alienation and degradation. In this highly praised new work, destined to attract worldwide attention and support, Michael Albert provides an answer: Participatory Economics, "Parecon" for short—a new economy, an alternative to capitalism, built on familiar values including solidarity, equity, diversity and people democratically controlling their own lives, but utilizing original institutions fully described and defended in the book. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Clear alternative to capitalism
This is the clearest exposition yet of participatory economics,
an alternative to captitalism, market socialism, and
Soviet-style central planning. The participatory economics
model was developed by Michael Albert in collaboration
with Robin Hahnel. I would recommend reading this book
with Hahnel's recent book, The ABCs of Political Economy,
which provides a more in-depth critique of mainstream
pro-market economics.

Instead of allocation by how much
power or bargaining clout you have -- which is how markets
really work (forget about mainstream propaganda
about markets as "efficiency machines"!) --
participatory economics is based on the idea of
self-management -- each is to have a say over economic
decisions in proportion to how much they are impacted.

Governance by corporations and the state is replaced
by democratic worker and neighborhood organizations.
The market is replaced by participatory planning -- the
creation of a comprehensive agenda for production by
the direct input of requests
for work and consumption outcomes by individuals and
groups, and a back and forth process of negotiation.
Intead of elite planners, as in Soviet-style central
planning, we all would craft the economic plan.

In the process of individuals and groups evaluating
possible outcomes, the planning system takes account
of consumer and worker preferences, thus giving measures
of social benefits and costs. As each production group
approximates to the average social cost/benefit, waste
is avoided. The overall structure is designed to support
the tendencies in human nature towards solidarity and
cooperation, as opposed to the market, which imposes
a regime where "nice guys finish last."

Parecon has a particularly elegant solution to the
problem of under-production of collective goods,
and over-production of negative external effects,
like pollution, which are widespread and destructive
effects of markets.

Little is said about how such an economic framework
would come about. Albert thinks that having a good
vision of where we want to go is important to motivating
the kinds of mass movements that would be needed to
bring about such a change.

Economies Affect People
When was the last time you had a voice regarding what's being produced in the economy? And how much of an influence did you have over the cost of your last doctor visit? Finally, does the market care about the homeless or the environment, or does it only care about profits, leaving the former two concerns for you, the taxpayer, to deal with (i.e., market discipline)? People should ask themselves questions such as these before reading Michael Albert's Parecon: Life After Capitalism.

In a nutshell, this book offers an alternative economic vision that could fulfill human potentials and needs in participatory ways. Parecon's guiding values are equity, diversity, solidarity, and participatory self-management.

Clearly then, this book requires critical thinking on the part of the reader. Prepare to be challenged at first, as Albert analyzes the inherent weaknesses of both capitalist and the so-called "socialist" economies (e.g., former USSR), and how they both subvert human values to a considerable extent. In fact, he demonstrates conclusively how capitalism destroys equity, limits choices, wrecks solidarity, and smashes worker self-management. And because capitalism remunerates for bargaining power and has corporate divisions of labor, these ill-effects will be inevitable under capitalism, according to Albert. Therefore, Albert dismisses capitalism when thinking about a desirable economic vision.

Albert picks apart the so-called "socialist" economies in the same way. He shows the reader that such economies are clearly totalitarian, as they typically have state ownership and central planning; despite some marginal democratic forms on the periphery. Further, he argues that such systems create a new class of people who monopolize skills and decision-making -- what he calls the "coordinator class". Ironically, the philosopher Bakunin warned of this over a century ago about such a systems; a system under the control of an elite minority "overflowing with brains". Ultimately, Albert proclaims, we should reject such "socialist" systems on the same grounds that we reject capitalism; they're flawed, and violate basic human rights and "the values we hold dear".

But again, the focus of this book is to actually develop a new economy -- its relations, institutions, and so on. At the same time, it's remarkably consistent with a long tradition of libertarian thought from the Left. Albert merely expands upon those ideas in order to arrive at a realistic, desirable economic vision for the future.

Economies affect people. Understanding this and working to make that relationship compatible should be our concern. This book is an important step in that direction.

Just another attempt at brainwashing the masses
This book is good for two audiences:

1. People who are socialists and want to read more ways they can implement their big plans to destroy capitalism.

2. People who are reasonable/capitalists who want to read a laughable proposal to unite the masses and bring down the great evil capitalist societies of the world.

So basically this book is suitable for anyone. But seriously, it is simply another way to say "Down with successful people! I deserve an equal share of the economic pie just because I'm a human and I'm equal to everyone else!" and other familiar chants of the far, far left wing. It's actually quite amazing to me that people still propose such nonsensical "progressive" ideas to implement socialism and can keep a straight face. Some people are incapable of reason and/or learning apparently. This book tries to counter the common (as in common-sense) attacks on socialism and uses the familiar notion that past attempts at socialism were different or implemented incorrectly and that this new great revolutionary book has the answers to make sure the next attempt is successful.

2 points for effort, 1 for result
Credit to Albert for exploring new ideas. A few good insights. But I haven't been able to finish.

I found the writing style tedious.

The vision described feels stifling and bureaucratic. It does not appear to put a lot of value on individual freedom. For one thing, in a Parecon I need to get approval before I do anything. I even have to submit a plan for personal consumption. It seems I can't take any entrepreneurial initiative without approval, which aside from negative impacts on the economy and on innovation, strikes me as an unjustified restriction. (Sure, many people in a capitalist economy don't have these opportunities, but Parecon is taking us further backward in terms of some liberties).

The idea of being evaluated by workers' councils feels intimidating, but if done properly it could work well.

Okay, some things are worth trying. I'm convinced that a more cooperative approach to organising society is possible and desirable, but as for the more radical Parecon ideas, I'm highly sceptical.

It's not only this book and it's not only on the Left side of politics. Bias and a lack of rigour are too common: The Lexus and the Olive Tree by Tom Friedman was unsatisfying in its lack of rigourous, balanced analysis; and "The Road to Serfdom" was infuriating in its mixture of 1. half-truths (the efficiency of the market, and the inefficiency of government price-setting. Post-WW2 Britain even had inspector ensuring haircuts were the right price, so Hayek did have valid concerns), 2. blatant untruths (compromising the market leads inevitably to totalitarianism) and 3. enormous blind spots (Hayek completely ignores externalities, the free rider problem, and inequalities in opportunity due to differences in health care and education).

So Friedman and Hayek are no more satisfactory than Albert. Actually, Albert has been far more willing to push the boundaries and explore new ideas. So Parecon does have value.

It's worth reading someone who is genuinely insightful and rigourous and isn't stuck in one viewpoint. I'm very impressed with Amartya Sen's "Development and Freedom". Intelligent, rigourous and balanced. Importantly, it balances a philosophical analysis of freedom with a very empirical examination of outcomes. I'm having to read it very slowly, but it's got far more substance than Parecon, or the other books mentioned. I can see why Sen won a Nobel Prize.

Parecon has its place, but I'd recommend getting a firmer grip on economics and issues of freedom before you do - and Sen's book is a good place to start.

Albert's best work on ParEcon yet.
It is amazing to see critics trivialize the incredible amount of evolution in economic theory that it has taken to get us to the point of a workable and equitable product that both enhances work output and quality of life. Demonizing Participatory Economics is very easy.. unless you've actually read the book.

What Albert presents in PARECON is a solid, workable plan worthy of thought, discussion and debate in every level of society. Albert has solidified the original economic theories that he developed with Robin Hahnel in their previous works together (Looking Forward; Political Economy of Participatory Economics), and has presented thoughtful reflections on the workability of such a system in our world.

It is often that critics who have not actually read through the proposals that ParEcon presents argue against it with such erroneous statements as, "the jobs that produce the most value, i.e., the most important jobs, will go unfilled!" I challenge you, the reader, to find out just how untrue this is for yourself. Participatory Economics is a long-awaited step in the evolution of economic theory, and I encourage everyone to take a look into it. ... Read more

Book Description

The revised edition of this classic text contains discussions of the latest theoretical developments in regional economics and reviews recent changes in regional policy and institutions in the European Union. New case study material based on extensive academic research in Europe and the USA has been added throughout the book.This book is organized in two free-standing parts examining firstly the economic analysis of regions and then regional policy issues. Topics covered include multiplier and impact analysis, input-output models, growth theory, migration, regional labor markets, regional policy in the EU, regional devolution, small firms policy, foreign direct investment and a detailed explanation of the methods used to evaluate regional policy. Chapters can be read independently in cases where focused information is required, and the organization of the book makes this a very flexible and effective resource for course use. ... Read more

Book Description

The contributions in this volume explore the relationship between processes of technological innovation, their network characteristics and their local and regional development impacts. Case studies, empirical evidence and conceptual perspectives provide insights on the local effects of technological innovation, networks and related policies in Austria, Scotland, Italy, the Netherlands, Western Europe and the United States. The contributions consider spatial, developmental and network aspects of technological innovation diffusion, globalisation, static and dynamic externalities, local and regional clustering, interfirm cooperation, small firm development, knowledge spillovers, invention patenting, information technology and telecommunications, competitiveness, technological convergence, and industrial policy-making. This volume will be of interest to professionals, academics and policy-makers interested in technological change and its impacts on local areas and regions. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Compelling Account of Global Poverty
Can Anyone Hear Us?, goes beyond typical methods of poverty assessment to get the inside track on global poverty through the use of Participatory Poverty Assessments (PPA's). PPA's seek to understand poverty from the perspective of the poor and directly involve the poor in follow-up action. This publication encompasses the uninhibited voices of 40,000 impoverished people around the globe. The result is a definition of poverty much richer than the traditional one, as well as, a behind the scenes evaluation of the current methods attempting to alleviate poverty in the world today. This new means of evaluating poverty is truly interesting because it puts a fresh spin on the issue.

Specifically, Deepa Narayan, the book's primary author, reveals that poverty is much more complex than generally perceived. She goes to great lengths to discuss that while poverty is material in nature, it has tremendous psychological repercussions. She weighs the voices of men and woman equally and uses the results of the studies to evaluate current programs, government, community-based and non-government, on the experiences of the people whom they aim to help. Finally, the book recommends various changes be made to status quo international poverty reduction programs.

Narayan succeeds in weaving the accounts of the poor into a convincing call to action without being overdramatic or whiney. Through her use of stories and quotations, her book has an unmistakable human cry; a cry that cannot be blocked from the ears of the reader. These unheard perspectives make the book a quick, yet thought provoking read. At times it seems that the personal accounts will never cease, and the reader is left feeling overwhelmed and depressed. This type of appeal is probably necessary, however, to awaken us to the reality that millions of people on the planet struggle daily for survival. Ultimately, the reader is left thinking, why didn't we consult with the poor earlier?

The most incredible issue highlighted in this book is the general lack of power and control the poor have over their lives. They are most often victims of circumstances beyond their control. Hard work does not make a difference. Many go to bed each night with their hunger unfulfilled, despite long hours of grueling labor. Their governments, our global markets, and even NGO's are not adequately responding to their desire to have a voice in the matters concerning their own fate.

Can Anyone Hear Us? is compelling. It gives a voice to those who have been unheard and forgotten and reveals that our current efforts to help alleviate poverty are falling short. It is an indispensable read for anyone seeking to understand the nature of global poverty.

Voices of the poor - Can anyone hear us ?
Several studies from Europe have over time shown that children growing up in poverty have long lasting effects on their physical and mental health, medical service utilization and criminal behavior. Poverty is even today in developed countries like United States and Israel (about 25% of children living in poverty) a major public health problem of a magnitude that is markedly different than Scandinavian countries (3%). The official poverty rate for children (the proportion of those poor) in the United States declined sharply between 1960-69, had an upward trend between 1969-93 with a steady figure around 20%, since 1981. In 1996, the federal government counted 20.5% of the children poor, 18.3% of those 6-17 years of age and 22.7% of all those under six years of age. In 1996, 16.3% of all White children were living in poverty, 39.9% of all Black children and 40.3% of all Hispanic children. This book is the first in a series of three books on “Voices of the Poor” with information gathered from the views, experiences and aspirations of over 60,000 poor women and men from 60 countries. This first bring the cry from 40,000 poor persons in 50 countries. It is devided in seven chapters: Listening, definitions, state institutions, civil society institutions, gender relations in the household, social fragmentation and the conclusion with ways forward. The work has been undertaken under the auspices of the World Bank. In the pages of this book you will find testimony to the poor people of this world, their hunger and pain, but also strength and resilience, which will point the way forward. We can see the need for further research into the effects of poverty on child development, investigate resiliency, adaptive behaviors and find ways to make policy relevant research...

true-to-life
very interesting, full of true-to-life experiences. It throbs. I could feel it right away. tells us how the poor see their poverty. hope the rich can hear the poor... ... Read more

Book Description

This excellent book, newly available in paperback, addresses the growing dissatisfaction with the neo-liberal post Washington consensus. The concern of the contributors in writing this collection was that this consensus has established itself as a new orthodoxy, more powerful and widespread than its predecessor. This broad-ranging critique explains that without a much broader political economy the consensus is unlikely to provide a coherent framework for successful development policies. ... Read more

Book Description

Hardbound. The Handbook of Social Choice and Welfare presents, in two volumes, essays on past and on-going work in social choice theory and welfare economics.The first volume consists of four parts.In Part 1 (Arrovian Impossibility Theorems), various aspects of Arrovian general impossibility theorems, illustrated by the simple majority cycle first identified by Condorcet, are expounded and evaluated.It also provides a critical survey of the work on different escape routes from impossibility results of this kind.In Part 2 (Voting Schemes and Mechanisms), the operation and performance of voting schemes and cost-sharing mechanisms are examined axiomatically, and some aspects of the modern theory of incentives and mechanism design are expounded and surveyed. In Part 3 (structure of social choice rules), the positional rules of collective decision-making (the origin of which can be traced back to a seminal proposal by Borda), the game-theoretic aspec ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

In Market Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, Marcel Fafchamps synthesizes the results of recent surveys of indigenous market institutions in twelve countries, including Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, and presents findings about economics exchange in Africa that have implications both for future research and current policy. Employing empirical data as well as theoretical models that clarify the data, Fafchamps takes as his unifying principle the difficulties of contract enforcement. Arguing that in an unpredictable world contracts are not always likely to be respected, he shows that contract agreements in sub-Saharan Africa are affected by the absence of large hierarchies (both corporate and governmental) and as a result must depend to a greater degree than in more developed economies on social networks and personal trust. Fafchamps considers policy recommendations as they apply to countries in three different stages of development: countries with undeveloped market institutions, like Ghana; countries at an intermediate stage, like Kenya; and countries with developed market institutions, like Zimbabwe.

Market Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa caps ten years of personal research by the author. Fafchamps, in collaboration with such institutions as the Africa Division of the World Bank and the International Food Policy Research Institute, participated in the surveys of manufacturing firms and agricultural traders that provide the empirical basis for the book. The result is a work that makes a significant contribution to research on the continuing economic stagnation of many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and is also largely accessible to researchers in other fields and policy professionals. ... Read more

Book Description

Elaborating on the concepts first introduced in Global Public Goods, this book addresses the long overdue issue of how to adjust the concept of public goods to today's economic and political realities. The production of global public goods requires the orchestration of initiatives by a large number of diverse actors across different levels and sectors. It may require the collaboration of governments, business and civil society, and in most cases it almost certainly calls for an effective linkage of the local, national, regional, and global levels. In light of today's new realities, this book examines a series of managerial and political challenges that pertain to the design and implementation of production strategies and the monitoring and evaluation of global public goods provision.As participatory decision-making enhances the political support for - and thus the effectiveness of - certain policy decisions, this volume offers suggestions on a number of pragmatic policy reforms for bringing the global public more into public policy making on global issues. Nine case studies examine the importance of the global public good concept from the viewpoint of developing countries, exploring how and where the concerns of the poor and the rich overlap.Providing Global Public Goods offers important and timely suggestions on how to move in a more feasible and systematic way towards a fairer process of globalization that works in the interests of all. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Perfect Follow-up
Global Public Goods and Multilateralism must intertwine in order for progress and provision to come about. This is an idea that is so often neglected and forgotten. This book places an importance role that nations must carry out...it also provides recommendations for issues that arise in the midst of GPG provision. This book does not negate the global issues that exist within and surrounding the international realm...yet the book does a fabulous job on highlighting the importance of addressing these issues as a means of furthering the progress of Global Public Goods.

Thought Provoking
This books is an excellent follow-up of the Global Public Goods: International Cooperation in the 21st Century. It helped me visual and understand the provisionary measures needed to bring about GPGs. ... Read more

Book Description

Environmental Economics distinguishes itself from other books by presupposing that readers already have an understanding of intermediate microeconomics. Thus, this book concentrates only on environmental economics--problems of pollution of earth, air, and water--with an emphasis on regulation and private-sector anti-pollution incentives. Coverage also includes international examples. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great introduction to Environmental Economics .
Actual rating - 4.5 stars .

I read this book as a must-read for the Environmental Economics course I had taken in the beginning of the last semester . I think this book is a great choice for students that are interested in this topic . Myself , I didn't know what to expect in the beginning of the course , but it turned up to be a surprisingly interesting and important issue - with the good help of this book .

I have to say that I've learned a lot from reading this book , and it has been a pleasant experience too . Professor Kolstad has really accomplished a commendable achievement in writing a fluent , methodical , thorough and interesting book about Environmental Economics , nearly everyone who wishes to , can read and understand .

I say it as a student who hasn't read other works on the subject , but nevertheless , feels this book has many pluses as an introduction to this subject :

- The author , in spite of announcing it is a book for persons that have taken an Intermediate Microeconomics courses , makes far-reaching efforts to explain nearly every statement he proclaimed . This is a good feature students can use for reviewing forgotten material , deleting the need to use more fundamental books for understanding .

- Significant number of chapters includes a small use of mathematic tools . This fact is of considerable help for the layman , who is interested in expending horizons and lacks the necessary mathematical skills .

I believe the following points characterize many tutorials , but it's important to note them anyway;

- Every figure the author uses is accompanied with detailed explanations that enhance the reader's ability to understand the sketch and the whole subject while at it .

- Every chapter includes an introduction and a summery . The first connects the chapter to the previous one , and assists in grasping the place it takes in the big picture of things , while the second one summarize the major issues dealt with . This functions organize the material and construct an understandable structure of knowledge .

- One last thing , that consists an advantage constructed with disadvantage is the appearance of questions and problems in the end of each chapter , in the obvious order to help you check out your understanding , but with the irritating absence of answers and solutions (!) . What's the point in composing personal examinations without any achievable , certified solutions ? How can I know I am right ? I recommend authors to annex a booklet/extra pages with the correct answers , along with a full description of the way to the solution plus explanations - if you include such a tutorial tool in your book - do it right .

Excluding the last disadvantage , I'm most pleased with this book , and would recommend it for anyone who is interested in environment and its protection problems

complete and comprenhensive
This book is more than a simple overview of the wide environmental economics world, since it embraces the subject in a clear, comprenhensive but in-depth enough to get a very good picture of it. ... Read more

Book Description

This book provides prespectives on various aspects of the international financial system that contribute to financial crises and growth failures, and discusses the remedies that economists have proposed for addressing the underlying problems.It also sheds light on a central feature of the international financial system that remains mysterious to many economists and most non-economists: The International Monetary Fund and the factors that influence its effectiveness. ... Read more

Book Description

The Human Development Report 2004 debunks myths that regard diversity as a threat to nations and states, the source of inevitable clashes, and an obstacle to development. It asserts that struggles over economic resources and political power, not diversity, are most often at the root of conflict. The Report opens with an analysis of the vital links between human development and cultural liberty by Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen. It goes on to examine issues that the dynamics of globalization have brought to the forefront of policy agendas in rich and poor countries alike: migration, predatory extremism, and the expansion of cultural diversity. Drawing on data from national and local governments around the world, it proposes evidence-based constitutional, juridical, and socioeconomic policy options to promote cultural liberty and multicultural democracy in the context of universally accepted human rights. ... Read more

Book Description

`Every now and then one stumbles across a breath of fresh air and this practical research guide is certainly one of them!.. It will be no doubt refreshing for those of us who keep going to the field and who perhaps have forgotten the human dimension of research. For those who supervise students the book will be a useful source of inspiration.... I shall certainly recommend the book to any of my students' - Development and Change

`Development Fieldwork is an excellent examination of and preparation for development research and will be an invaluable guide to all those entering or considering fieldwork, wherever that may be' - Progress in Development Studies

`I would strongly recommend it as a field textbook across a range of disciplines and topics. The tone is thoughtful, engaging and pragmatic, with all of the chapters contributing equally to a very high quality publication.

It is the best book I have read on fieldwork for a while. It is essential for anyone contemplating 'development' based study, but it also contains a great deal of value and interest to geographers, sociologists and other students working in and on the West' - Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography

'This is an outstanding book, and one that all of us engaged in fieldwork in "developing countries" will want to read and doubtless re-read. Thoughtful, relevant and consistently well-written' - Professor Stuart Corbridge, London School of Economics and University of Miami

'An excellent overview of the pitfalls and problems of fieldwork in remote places... elegant and enjoyable, incisive and elegant... good humoured and eminently practical - the "Lonely Planet" guide to the field' - Professor John Connell, Sydney University

'A very welcome and richly inviting review of the politics, ethics and practicalities of fieldwork, Development Fieldwork deserves reading in many 'fields'. This will surely travel far' - James D Sidaway, National University of Singapore

'I warmly commend this guide to anyone planning or even thinking about fieldwork in the Third World. Postgraduates and academics will find it particularly good, as it not only raises an abundance of practical and logistical points but explores fundamental ethical and epistemological

concerns to an unusual degree, including issues not addressed elsewhere. The clarity and attention to detail are also very welcome, as is the ease with which the book can be navigated' - Janet Townsend, University of Durham

`Developmental Fieldwork provides a useful guide packed with information on practical and personal (and sometimes political) matters.As with all good `rough' guides, rather than fixing options and closing issues, the authors make it a point to suggest flexible itineraries across the terrain of the `field'. The book should in time become a well-thumbed, dog-eared volume, thrown into the haversack along with the notebook (both sorts), tape recorder, mosquito repellent, sunglasses and sturdy shoes' - Brenda S A Yeoh, National University of Singapore

Development Fieldwork provides an indispensable new resource and guide for all students undertaking development fieldwork in the Third World.

Accessible and lively, the text:

-introduces the basics of research design and methodology together with guidance on choosing the best research methods;

- provides `hands on' advice (practical, personal and ethical) to those preparing to enter `the field';

-covers the initial planning and preparation stages to end writing up and tips for the successful resumption of life back home.

The authors draw upon a rich and diverse set of fieldwork experiences across the developing world (rural and urban) and utilize case studies to illustrate the many common issues and challenges that will face both new and experienced fieldwork researchers.

It will be an essential text and companion to all postgraduate and research students across the social sciences.

Book Description

A wide-ranging exploration of the issues shaping development in rural North America for the years ahead

This unique volume presents guidelines for dealing with the problems of development in rural areas, with coverage that encompasses theory, strategic planning and policy implementation, and practical experience. It contains an in-depth examination of the problems faced by rural American towns, communities, and families, and it explores a range of innovative solutions based on the concepts of sustainable use of indigenous talents and resources.

Contributions by leading experts and seasoned practitioners represent a broad spectrum of experience and ideological outlook, making Rural Sustainable Development in America must reading for anyone involved in community development; rural geography, planning, and economic development; public administration; agricultural economics; and public policy. The book covers:

• Historical, philosophical, and ecological foundations of sustainable development in the rural context.
• Principles of a rural sustainable future in which development policies embrace holistic and interactive views of ethics, ecology, economics, and sociopolitical systems.
• Different approaches to policy and planning strategy at the regional and local level.
• The role of citizen involvement and empowerment in choosing and effecting change in community life.
• Real-world experiences with alternative rural-urban symbioses in agriculture, waste management, greenways, and trails.
• Analysis of specific community-based efforts at regional revitalization in Indiana, Central Appalachia, and Eastern Canada.

The development of an energy and technology intensive, global agricultural production system over the last few decades has had a devastating impact on traditional rural communities—from the decline of family farms to the virtual depopulation of small towns on a wide scale. But across this bleak landscape, many communities are planning and taking action to assure their development in sustainable ways.

What are the visions, assumptions, and practical considerations guiding these efforts? How can communities address the obstacles they face in designing and implementing policies that will foster and support regeneration?

Providing invaluable insight into these questions, Rural Sustainable Development in America offers a multidimensional look at theory, strategic planning, and real-world experience that provides planners and others with important tools to use in cultivating a sustainable future for rural America.

Contributions by leading experts from a range of disciplines first explore the philosophical and ecological underpinnings of sustainable development within a global and local context. The second part of the book examines regional and local planning and policy issues, and the final section assesses the success or failure of alternative rural-urban symbioses in agriculture, waste management, greenways and trails, and regional revitalization.

Encompassing several shades of "greenness," this thought-provoking volume truly reflects the diversity of views and approaches that are driving the theory and practice of rural development into the twenty-first century. It is a vital addition to the literature that will inform readers of every ideological orientation and professional perspective—in such areas as rural geography, planning, policy, and economic development; agricultural economics; landscape architecture; and public administration. ... Read more

Book Description

"Aghion and Howitt is a real breakthrough in growth economics. This book has profound implications and should be read by anyone who is serious about studying economic growth" -- Nicholas Crafts, Department of Economic History, London School of Economics and Political Science

Advanced economies have experienced a tremendous increase in material well- being since the industrial revolution. Modern innovations such as personal computers, laser surgery, jet airplanes, and satellite communication have made us rich and transformed the way we live and work. But technological change has also brought with it a variety of social problems. It has been blamed at various times for increasing wage and income inequality, unemployment, obsolescence of physical and human capital, environmental deterioration, and prolonged recessions.

To understand the contradictory effects of technological change on the economy, one must delve into structural details of the innovation process to analyze how laws, institutions, customs, and regulations affect peoples' incentive and ability to create new knowledge and profit from it. To show how this can be done, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt make use of Schumpeter's concept of creative destruction, the competitive process whereby entrepreneurs constantly seek new ideas that will render their rivals' ideas obsolete.

Whereas other books on endogenous growth stress a particular aspect, such as trade or convergence, this book provides a comprehensive survey of the theoretical and empirical debates raised by modern growth theory. It develops a powerful engine of analysis that sheds light not only on economic growth per se, but on the many other phenomena that interact with growth, such as inequality, unemployment, capital accumulation, education, competition, natural resources, international trade, economic cycles, and public policy. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

not quite a textbook
This book is a treatise of the most recent works in endogenous growth theory, and so it may be inappropriate to be used as a textbook for a course. Although the exercises are explained, it seems that this book cannot be feasibly used for self-study because, as the reviewer below me pointed out, you need someone to fill in the gaps. Nevertheless, the authors do a great job in explaining the intuition behind the difficult technical papers that make up this book. I think this book would be useful for those masters/doctoral students who are preparing/writing their thesis. The explanations and the bibliography can guide them and enable them to get many ideas for their paper.

Good theory, Poor presentation
To read this book effectively, you really need to have the articles that the authors cited in the book, especially their own articles.
The ideas from the book are excellent. However, the presentation of the is extremely bad. I am not saying for just myself. Many of my professors and my peers also agree.
The authors skipped a lot on the derivation of the equations without mentioning where they came from, or without even defining some terminologies. Sometime, you will get really frustrated.

I prefer to learn not just the ideas but also the technical foundations. Barro and Xala-i Martin's book on Growth is excellent in this. It is impossible to learn that in this book. Sorry, the book is a failure!!!
I talked to my friends in other schools in Cambridge. They were surprised because Aghion is supposed to be a very careful professor. I don't know. But I have attended a conference and seen how Howitt presented. It is a big, really big, conference, and the guy just wrote down those equations and calculations by hand. They are even not neat.
The exercises are interesting and helpful if you want to master the tricks. However, again, you need to read the articles that they used since many steps will be skipped carelessly.

One of the principal books about the modern economic growth
"Endogenous Growth Theory" by Philippe Aghion and Peter W. Howitt is one of the best book about economic growth theory who I've seen. This book together with "Advanced Macroeconomics" by David Romer and "Economic Growth" by Robert Barro and Xavier Sala-I-Martin are the principal books about all the modern economic growth theory. I recommend very much this book.

Comprehensive
An intermediate-to-advanced updated text in this specialized branch of growth economics. A nice follow-through if you have already read something like Barro & Sala-i-Martin's book. Fully packed with exercises and thier results explained! Complete bibliography. in short, a must.

an Intuitive book
This book presents a series of advanced growth models with optimal level of mathematics and intuition. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lessons for Policy Makers
In this book, Danny Rodrik offers some valuable guidance for policy-makers. They should focus on the fundamentals of economic growth - investment, macro-economic stability, human resources and good governance - and not let international economic integration dominate their thinking. The potential benefits of openness will only be realised when "complementary policies and institutions are in place domestically".

An important result from his analysis is that a strong, participatory, democracy is good for growth. This is very much in line with Barro's "Determinants of Economic Growth" (1998).The resoning is that a country with a strong democracy will be better at resolving the social conflicts emerging from external economic shocks, and therefore benefit from greater macroeconomic stability. In order to increase the effectiveness of dealing with shocks, the channels to which non-elites can make themselves heard, and participate, in policy making needs to be improved. Otherwise dissatisfaction will lead to social unrest.To play the role of honest broker, the state needs to perceived as competent and free of corruption.

Two policy areas are identified as being central to achieving long-term growth and making openness work: A domestic investment strategy; the strengthening of domestic institutions of conflict management.

Many of his findings offer support for much of current policy thinking on development. The importance of political freedom, security of person, and the need for a reasonable degree of macroeconomic stability is widely recognised. Good governance has moved firmly up the list of priorities. Also, attempts are being made to try and increase the widespread "ownership" of reforms through e.g. the Comprehensive Development Framework of the World Bank.

However, there are several important areas where Rodrik's analysis requires further consideration:

· Developing countries, in devising a domestic investment strategy, are better advised to look at ways of reducing risk and improving their credibility in the eyes of domestic and foreign investors, rather than following Rodrik's suggestion to improve investment returns through e.g. investment subsidies. (see Moran (1998) "Foreign Direct Investment and Development").

· The strong link between good governance and openness is very important and needs greater attention. Red tape and corruption are strongly correlated. Trade restrictions nearly always introduce distortions, caused by "rent seeking" activities, and create vested interest groups.

· As he suggests, all countries are able to improve their "fundamentals". But it is also true that different regions are likely to benefit from integration - in terms of both growth and poverty reduction - to very different extents.

· Rodrik suggests that Africa is not "different". He is right in so far as domestic factors - stability and security - are central to its success. But sub Saharan Africa is different . It faces great difficulties in building institutions of conflict management and has a legacy of being the most trade and capital hostile region.

· As is always the case in the "never ending question" of empirical tests of the links between trade and growth, the interpretation of the results of his work is very much open to question. He is far from decisively refuting this link.

Taking some of these factors into account suggests that Rodrik's somewhat sanguine attitude to inward-looking developm t is ill advised. Also, the potential role for international governance in helping to overcome several of and the problems facing poorer countries - low credib ity, limited regulatory resources, small markets -becomes more important. But these rules will help in so far as they encourage certainty, transparency and non-discrimination, rather than in offering flexibility. However, as Rodrik states, " these rules of the internation economy must be flexible in order to allow developing countries to develop their own "styles of capitalism"".

Insights into making 'globalization'work for poor countries
Like clothes, economic development policies are subject to the trends of fashion. This book examines the current development fad, "openness," and critiques it as a flawed economic model when applied simplistically to developing countries. The author, Dani Rodrik, professor of international political economy at Harvard, is no enemy of an open world economy, but he argues that its boosters greatly oversell its virtues and neglect its vices. He contends that too many governments and their policy advisors are fixated on openness --the unrestricted flow of goods, services, and capital across borders--as an end in itself. The dangers to this approach, he warns, are that: 1) openness alone is an unreliable mechanism to generate and sustain economic growth; 2) it tends to widen income and wealth inequalities within both developed and developing countries; and 3) it exposes countries to external shocks that can trigger domestic conflicts and political upheavals.

A developing country can gain much from openness to trade and investment, he agrees, but it must also do much in actively "making openness work"--the theme of the book. The minuses of openness may outweigh the pluses if a country fails to develop its own internal "complementary policies and institutions." What kind of policies and institutions? He cites these as among the most important: "participatory institutions, civil and political liberties, free labor unions, non-corrupt bureaucracies, high-quality independent judiciaries, and mechanisms of social insurance such as social safety nets." He offers specific evidence on how such institutions are valuable to developing countries for coping with turbulence in the world economy and for countering the widening of inequality that openness often brings. For most economists Rodrik is heretical because he debunks the "free market religion" and derides "knee-jerk globalizers," though only in passing. This is far from a diatribe against globalization. Instead, the book presents a detailed factual case for openness as "part of a development strategy," rather than a substitute for one. His forceful advice to governments and policy advisers: "Stop thinking of international economic integration as an end itself. Developing nations have to engage the world economy on their own terms, not on terms set by global markets or multilateral institutions." A valuable chapter of the book is one titled "Is Africa Is Different?" Rodrik answers No; openness can work its wonders there but (as anywhere) definitely not if applied simplistically.

Rodrik slips into jargon from time to time, but you can still benefit from reading his book even if you don't have a degree in economics.

--Robert A. Senser, editor of the Website Human Rights for Workers ... Read more