POLICY MATTERS: Economic and Social Policies to Sustain Equitable Development

About the Book

In 2000, UN member states pledged to halve world poverty by 2015, among other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  But progress has been elusive since.

The chapters in this volume address disparate problems in achieving the UN Development Agenda, from the complex effects of trade and financial liberalization to the realities of development aid, itself a central pillar of the MDGs.  The unifying theme is one of economic and social integration, and an emphasis on long-term strategic investments in education, health and infrastructure.

By challenging mainstream economic thought, Policy Matters is required reading for students, academics and activists wanting to engage in the debate, and help achieve the MDGs.


About the Author

José Antonio Ocampo is Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Jomo K.S. is Assistant Secretary General for Economic Development and Sarbuland Khan was director of the Office for Economic and Social Council Support and Coordination in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in the United Nations Secretariat.


Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Markets, Social Cohesion and Democracy

Chapter 2: Dynamic Links between the Economy and Human Development

Chapter 3: Policy Reform and Income Distribution

Chapter 4: Trade and Employment: Stylized Facts and Research Findings

Chapter 5: Trade Liberalization and Employment

Chapter 6: International Capital Flows, Financial Stability and Growth

Chapter 7: The Economic and Social Effects of Financial Liberalization: A Primer for Developing Countries

Chapter 8: Development and Social Goals: Balancing Aid and Development to Prevent ‘Welfare Colonialism’

Chapter 9: Constraints to Achieving the MDGs with Scaled Up Aid

Chapter 10: What is the Most Effective Monetary Policy for Aid-Receiving Countries?

Chapter 11: Real Exchange Rate, Monetary Policy and Employment

Chapter 12: Evaluating Targeting Efficiency of Government Programmes: International Comparisons

Chapter 13: Targeting and Universalism in Poverty Reduction