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Archived Articles
Economic Growth and the Quality of Life
2002
Back to Current Articles | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 The Global Accounting Scam (December 5, 2002)
This author highlights the absurdity of measuring a country’s prosperity by its Gross Domestic Product. He argues, “the more medical bills you incur, the more junk food your kids yammer for, the more you sit in traffic and the more your credit card company rips you off with hidden charges, the better the economy is doing.” (Enough!)Environmental Cost Of Asia's Development (November 26, 2002)
The Asian Development Bank warns that environmental degradation caused by economic growth in Asia is “pervasive, accelerating and largely unabated,” endangering resources necessary for long-term economic development. (Asia Times)Growth is Necessary but not Sufficient to Reduce Poverty (November 19, 2002)
The UN Economic Commission for Africa argues that “no amount of growth will reduce poverty if it only targets an increase in the average income and does not aim at reducing income inequality.” The commission met in Brussels to discuss how African countries can take more ownership of poverty reduction strategies.Annan Says Economic Growth Alone Will Not Resolve World's Ills, Urges Broader Efforts (October 28, 2002)
In a speech delivered at the Dubai Strategy Forum in the United Arab Emirates, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan pressed for increased attention to balanced social development in addition to economic growth. (United Nations)Diversification in Coffee Growing: A Viable and Sustainable Alternative to Ensure Self-Sufficiency in Food Production (October 8, 2002)
The Union of Agricultural and Cattle Ranchers in Nicaragua calls on farmers not to use all arable land for cash crops such as coffee, instead leaving some land for food production. The recent starvation of eighteen children on Nicaraguan coffee plantations prompted the union’s statement. (Catholic Institute for International Relations)Putting Sustainable Development First (July, 2002)
This Eurodad paper discusses the link between debt sustainability and sustainable development. It puts forward a 3-step methodology to assess sustainable debt based on poverty conditions and the needs in each country.Putting Development Dollars to Use, South of the Border (May 2, 2002)
The Progresa program in Mexico proves effective in reducing child labor by paying families to send their kids to school. The plan targets the problem of low family income, which constitutes the main cause of children working instead of attending school. (New York Times)Every Child In School (April 8, 2002)
Oxfam calls on finance and development ministers to implement a global education plan consisting of four primary components: national plans, monitoring procedures, an international financing framework and immediate action in 19 countries.Politics and Parallel Negotiations: Environment and Trade in the Western Hemisphere (April 2002)
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace explains the challenges of simultaneously pursuing economic development and environmental sustainability. Civil society groups will continue to oppose economic-growth initiatives that lack healthy environmental commitments. (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)Hazardous to Health: The World Bank and IMF in Africa (April 2002)
World Bank and IMF policies, which sacrifice social programs for economic integration and privatization, have undermined significant health care advances in Africa and increase the spread of infectious diseases. (Africa Action)Chronic Poverty and Older People in the Developing World (January 2002)
Poverty-reduction strategies must take into account the fact that populations are aging, particularly in developing countries. Chronic Poverty Research Centre discusses chronic poverty in old age in terms of health, economics, social exclusion and gender implications.The Mirage of Progress (January 14, 2002)
National interests of developing and transition countries have become secondary to powerful foreign interest. This have resulted in economic failures and the prevention of potentially successful development strategies during the past 20 years. (American Prospect)
2001
Back to Current Articles | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 Income Disparity vs. Growth (November 25, 2001)
The Japan Times comments on a report from World Institute for Development Economics Research on income inequality. The study identifies traditional causes, gives suggestions for remedies, and shows how poverty reduction can be hampered by income inequality, regardless of economic growth.GATS, Trade Liberalisation and Children's Right to Health (November 5 , 2001)
This Save the Children's report suggests that liberalization of trade in health services give economic interests priority over public health. Trade liberalization can result in impoverishment of families and increase health problems among children.The Global Governance of Trade As If Development Really Mattered (October 2001)
This report presents an alternative approach to economic development. It criticizes the focus on trade as a mean for development. Instead the report emphasizes the role of domestic institutional innovations and argues that a focus on poverty reduction can enhance growth. (UNDP)Priced out of Reach (October 29, 2001)
This Oxfam report stresses the importance of changing global patent rules so that vital medicines can become accessible to poor people. The World Trade Organization meeting in Doha offers an opportunity for patent change and poverty reduction.The Unremarkable Record of Liberalized Trade (October 2001)
Policy-makers around the world promote trade liberalization and economic deregulation as means to combat poverty. Yet empirical evidence does not support this view. On the contrary, the reforms probably have a weakening effect on means for poverty reduction.(Economic Policy Institute)The Scorecard on Globalization 1980-2000 (August 19, 2001)
This joint ATTAC-CEPR socio-economic report argues that globalization has led to“diminished progress” in terms of economic growth, health outcomes, and education over the last twenty years.Argentina Doubts Market Wisdom (August 6, 2001)
Economic crisis has left many Argentineans jobless and weakened the region’s embrace of capitalism. The US and international financial institutions need to focus on how to improve the quality of life of ordinary Argentineans if they do not want the disillusionment with free market influencing the region’s economic policy makings. (Washington Post)Irrigation Creates World Water Crisis (February 25, 2001)
This article discusses how irrigation projects designed to increase the water supply in many nations have actually worsened the problem. (London Observer)Peasants Speak Out Against Food Imports (January 31, 2001)
Peasant farmers from around the world joined at the World Social Forum to denounce the liberalization of trade in food for increasing rural poverty and threatening food security. (Third World Network).
2000
Back to Current Articles | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 US President Signs Bill Opposing MDB User Fees for Social Services (November 6, 2000)
This article discusses a new US law requiring US representatives to multilateral institutions to oppose user fees that such institutions often impose for services like education and health care. (50 Years is Enough).There's More to Becoming Rich than GDP Growth (September 26, 2000)
Only half a year after the simplistic 'Growth is Good for the Poor' report, the World Bank published a new study stating that the ‘Quality of Growth’ is the decisive factor. (Independent).Quality of Growth Key to Less Poverty, Better Lives for All (September 25, 2000)
The World Bank's Quality of Growth report calls for a broader-based approach to development, emphasizing education, protection of the environment, and strengthened civil liberties.Global Trade Alone Will Not End World Hunger (February 18, 2000)
"Economic growth based mainly on exports is not sufficient for broad-based development," suggests the director of the UN Food and Agriculture association.FDI, Globalization, UNCTAD and Human Development (2000)
Yash Tandon contends that if UNCTAD is to advance human development, it should reconsider its uncritical advocacy of foreign direct investment. (Third World Network).To Improve Human Welfare, Poison the Poor: The Logic of a Free Market Economist (March 1, 1992)
David Korten questions the underlying assumption that all economic growth is good.
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