First published in 1978, Development Economics in Action is a renowned study of policies in Ghana, one of Africa 's most closely watched economies. In this new edition three additional chapters provide a detailed account of 1978-2008.

First published in 1978, Development Economics in Action is a renowned study of policies in Ghana, one of Africa s most closely watched economies. In this new edition three additional chapters provide a detailed account of 1978-2008."

This volume looks at the effectiveness of conditionality in structural adjustment programmes. Tony Killick charts the emergence of conditionality, and challenges the widely held assumption that it is a co-operative process, arguing that in fact it tends to be coercive and detrimental to development objectives. Through detailed case studies of twenty one recipient countries, he explores the key issues of:
* ownership
* role of agencies
* government objectives and the effects of policy.
The conclusion is that conditionality has been counterproductive to price stability, economic growth and investment.

This volume looks at the effectiveness of conditionality in structural adjustment programmes. Tony Killick charts the emergence of conditionality, and challenges the widely held assumption that it is a co-operative process, arguing that in fact it tends to be coercive and detrimental to development objectives. Through detailed case studies of twenty one recipient countries, he explores the key issues of:
* ownership
* role of agencies
* government objectives and the effects of policy.
The conclusion is that conditionality has been counterproductive to price stability, economic growth and investment.

The International Monetary Fund is the centre of a global financial system that encourages budgetary discipline and full integration into world trade to facilitate development and alleviate poverty.
Yet this policy 'conditionality' of the IMF is highly controversial. Critics state that fifty years of IMF existence has been 'fifty years too long', and that its doctrinaire policy must change or Fund programmes will have only limited ability to achieve their objectives.
This book examines the arguments, tracing the extent of Fund adaptation, presenting major new evidence on the consequences of Fund programmes, and considering its future role.

The growing pace of change and turbulence in the world's economy requires national economies to be adaptable. Inflexibility led to economic crisis in Eastern Europe and Africa, while adaptability characterized the "economic miracle" of East Asia. The "structural adjustment" programmes adopted in many developing countries reflects the extent to which the importance of these issues is now being reconized. This book explicitly addresses the nature of economic adaptability. The multi-disciplinary collection of specially commissioned papers explores the subject from a wide variety of perspectives. Conceptual papers discuss treatment of the topic in terms of economic theory and with regard to the literature on economic development. There are case studies of Africa, East Asia and Eastern Europe and a comparitive study of responses to oil shocks. Separate chapters examine the topic as it relates to the industrial and financial sectors. Another studies the political determinants of economic flexibility and the final chapter seeks to draw general conclusions. This work is presented in a largely non-technical manner and should have a broad interest.

The International Monetary Fund is the centre of a global financial system that encourages budgetary discipline and full integration into world trade to facilitate development and alleviate poverty. Yet this policy 'conditionality' of the IMF is highly controversial. Critics state that fifty years of IMF existence has been 'fifty years too long', and that its doctrinaire policy must change or Fund programmes will have only limited ability to achieve their objectives. This book examines the arguments, tracing the extent of Fund adaptation, presenting major new evidence on the consequences of Fund programmes, and considering its future role.

Poverty is a large and growing problem in Africa resulting in an immense amount of avoidable suffering, foreshortened lives, frustrated potentials, and joyless existences. The poverty trap is more than just an economic phenomenon but a social phenomenon as well. 'African Poverty at the Millennium: Causes, Complexities, and Challenges' is confined to the sub-Saharan region of Africa. The analysis found in Part I of this book, emphasizes the many-sided nature of poverty and the importance of going beyond generalizations about the poor. Part II looks at the various causes of poverty in Africa, stressing the powerful ill-effects of a combination of sluggish past economic growth and large, possibly widening, inequalities. It also draws attention to the strength of the social and political factors contributing to poverty. Part III outlines an anti-poverty strategy, highlighting the necessity for an inclusive and far-reaching approach, on the basis of joint action by concerned governments and donors. The poor in Africa are triply disadvantaged. Firstly, there is a widening international gap as African social indicators lag behind the rest of the world, partly as a result of poor growth. Secondly, by Africa's poor performance in turning income to social welfare. Thirdly, by national disparities in health and education between the poor and non-poor.