Brookings: Topics - Economic Development

The Global Food Crisis: "The Silent Tsunami"

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 24, 2009, 1:30 PM to 02:45 PM

On November 24, Global Economy and Development at Brookings will host a discussion on nutrition, school feeding programs and food security in the developing world. Over the past five years, droughts in grain-producing nations, increased oil prices and sales of corn to produce biofuels have contributed to skyrocketing food prices and lower quantities of food reserves. Issues of food and food security differ in complexity across state, national and regional boundaries, often depending on the strength of a country’s economy and the stability of its political leadership.

Sustaining Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 19, 2009, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

On November 19, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings hosted Antoinette Sayeh, director of the African Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), for a discussion on the economic outlook for Africa. The IMF has just released its semi-annual Regional Economic Outlook for Africa which contains findings that indicate sub-Saharan Africa’s economic activity has slowed sharply with the onset of the global financial crisis. As the world economy stages a tentative recovery, what does this mean for the region?

The Scouting Report Web Chat: Metro Areas and the Uneven Economic Recovery

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What stands in the way of recovery? On Wednesday, November 18, Alan Berube and Politico Senior Editor David Mark answered questions in a live web chat about how the nation’s large metropolitan areas—including Washington, DC—have fared in the downturn.

The Scouting Report: Metro Areas and the Uneven Economic Recovery

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 18, 2009, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

The Middle East and the New Global Economy: Economic Recovery and a New Government in Lebanon

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tarik Yousef and the Middle East Youth Initiative speak with Jad Chaaban about recent economic and political developments in Lebanon, where Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri ended months of negotiations by announcing a new unity cabinet earlier this week. With impressive overall growth projected for 2009, Lebanon’s economy may emerge stronger from the global crisis if the new government can agree on needed reforms.

Political Polarization in Latin America

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of the values measured in the 2005 World Values Survey was political ideology. Mauricio Cárdenas discusses the concept of political cohesion in Latin America and how ideology and political polarization can impact economic growth.

The U.S. Should Encourage Structural Transformation Strategies in Africa

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Treasury Neal Wolin's visit to three African nations demonstrates the commitment by the current administration to African development issues. Ernest Aryeetey urges Deputy Secretary Wolin to focus on sustainable development and encourage countries to establish frameworks for long-term growth.

Generation in Waiting : The Unfulfilled Promise of Young People in the Middle East

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Young people in the Middle East (15--29 years old) constitute about one-third of the region's population. Generation in Waiting portrays their plight, urging greater investment designed to improve the lives of this critical group.

The Great Recession: What Comes Next for America’s Metros

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Katz discusses the Great Recession from the United States metropolitan perspective and sketches the shape of the next U.S. economy whose future prosperity is slowly coming into view.

The Great Recession: What Comes Next for Our Metropolitan Nation

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

At an event with Congressman John Olver in Holyoke, Mass., Bruce Katz outlined the contours and implications of a low-carbon, innovation-fueled, and export-oriented economy for our Metro Nation, and specifically older New England metros. Using the example of post-industrial European cities, he emphasized the importance of metropolitan areas having a strong federal partner to drive the next economy.

Iraq's Economy Needs More Than Security

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Although violence in Iraq has decreased, Raj Desai states other transitions are needed before U.S. businesses feel comfortable about the Iraqi investment climate. In addition to security, Desai offers three sets of fundamental reforms to convince investors that Iraq is really "open for business."

Tracking the Global Economic Recovery: Insights on the IMF's New World Economic Outlook

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In May 2009, Laurence Chandy, Geoffrey Gertz and Johannes Linn examined the global impact of the financial crisis based on data from the IMF’s April World Economic Outlook (WEO). Following the release of a new WEO database released earlier this month, they appraise their previous assertions and analyze the salient features of the global economic recovery.

Latin America: Time for Reform, Not for Complacency

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Latin America, a region that has faced both challenges and opportunities during the financial crisis, has had more economic growth than other areas of the world. Mauricio Cárdenas discusses the forces behind this economic success and the need for the region to seize this crisis as an opportunity to make important reforms to solve longstanding problems.

Expanding the Financial Services Frontier: Lessons From Mobile Phone Banking in Kenya

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Access to financial services is crucial to economic growth and poverty reduction, yet a large proportion of households in developing countries lack access to financial services. Brookings expert Mwangi Kimenyi and Njuguna S. Ndung’u, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, discuss the Kenyan experience with mobile phone banking and how this technology can expand the financial services frontier.

Africa's (Large)⁴ Problem

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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There is wide agreement that the African developmental problem is largely rooted in its institutions. Mwangi Kimenyi discusses the link between size and the quality of governance in African countries.

The Great Recession: What Comes Next for Our Metro Nation

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

At a gathering at the University of Washington, Bruce Katz described the elements of a low-carbon, innovation-led and export-oriented economy that is coming to view in the midst of the Great Recession. While the Seattle metropolis has many of the assets necessary to take part in this next economy, it needs renewed civic collaboration, governance reform, and a partnership with the "two Washingtons," Olympia, and D.C., to achieve productive, inclusive, and sustainable growth.

Seattle's Opportunity Emerging from the Great Recession

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Katz outlines the many metropolitan assets that could form the basis for the Seattle region’s economic recovery and evolution. However, Seattle won’t get there without renewed civic collaboration, smart government action and an overarching regional vision.

Paradox and Perception : Measuring Quality of Life in Latin America

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Paradox and Perception greatly improves our understanding of the determinants of well-being in Latin America based on a broad "quality of life" concept that challenges some standard assumptions in economics, including those about the relationship between happiness and income.

Contemporary Development Challenges in Kenya

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 01, 2009, 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

In October 2009 a high-level delegation of officials from the office of the president and government of Kenya visited the Brookings Institution. The event, which was hosted by the Africa Growth Initiative, included discussion on the key political, economic, and social challenges currently affecting Kenya’s development.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Chief Ojo Maduekwe on the Nigeria-U.S. Partnership

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:15:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 30, 2009, 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM

On September 30, the Brookings Institution hosted Chief Ojo Maduekwe, the foreign minister of Nigeria, for a conversation on the U.S.-Nigeria partnership, and the challenges and opportunities for democratic and economic reform and regional stability in Africa's most populous country.

Fighting Radicalism, not 'Terrorism': Root Causes of an International Actor Redefined

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the years since the September 11th attacks, Western policymakers, analysts and academics have debated the best approaches to confronting and ending terrorism. Brookings Fellow Omer Taspinar argues that the global fight against extremist violence must move beyond the "war on terror" to a broader strategy of fighting radicalism with human development - an approach that would address the political, economic and social conditions that foment violent radicalism.

Universal Education is an Investment for America

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama's speech at the Clinton Global Initiative on September 22 stressed the importance of international development in a globalized world. Rebecca Winthrop outlines the benefits to Americans of supporting international development causes, with particular attention to universal education.

What Comes Next for Our Metro Nation: The New Forces Driving Regionalism

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

At the Regional Policy Conference at the University of Minnesota, Bruce Katz discussed the importance of competitiveness, sustainable growth and metropolitan governance in the current difficult economic and fiscal environment in the state of Minnesota and across the country. These forces compel the U.S. to rethink how we grow and demand a new approach to metropolitan governance that is multi-jurisdictional, multi-dimensional, accountable and transparent.

The Middle East and the New Global Economy: Development and Diversification in Saudi Arabia

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Saudi Arabia will join other Group of Twenty (G-20) nations this week to address the global economic recovery. In a discussion with the Middle East Youth Initiative, expert economist Hassan Hakimian explains that the government’s stimulus budget has helped to cushion the country from the worst effects of the recession. Yet, the long-term challenges of developing the non-oil, private sector and harnessing human capital remain.

Three Reasons the Americans Should Support Global Education

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One year after committing to a $2 billion Global Fund for Education, President Obama returned to the Clinton Global Initiative on September 22 to speak about international development. Rebecca Winthrop discusses the importance of renewing the commitment to education in the developing world and its relevance to all Americans.

The Middle East and the New Global Economy: Revisiting Egypt in the Wake of the Downturn

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As leaders from the Group of Twenty (G-20) nations prepare to meet to take stock of the world's economy, the Middle East finds itself increasingly influenced by global trends and policies. Brookings expert Tarik Yousef and professor Ragui Assaad discuss Egypt's responses to the downturn and its future role in the global economy.

G-20 Summit: Recovering from the Crisis

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On September 24, President Obama will chair his first G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. With the world economy improving, leaders will now focus their attention on economic recovery and restoring financial stability. Experts from Brookings Global Economy and Development program analyze top issues to be addressed at the summit and provide recommendations on how to effectively overcome global economic and governance challenges to ensure recovery now and to prevent future crises.

Four Ways to Help Africa?

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In response to a Wall Street Journal article by former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi E. Frazer, Brookings expert Mwangi Kimenyi urges that U.S. policy toward Africa should be defined by a sustainable agenda whose focus is economic development.

Ordinary Families, Extraordinary Lives : Assets and Poverty Reduction in Guayaquil, 1978-2004

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In Ordinary Families, Extraordinary Lives, Moser shows how a more sophisticated understanding of the complexities of asset accumulation as well as poverty itself can help counter inaccurate stereotypes about global poverty.

Why Are Afghans Smiling?

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Though Afghanistan has been at war much of the last 30 years, Carol Graham and Jeremy Shapiro find that Afghans remain surprisingly happy. Graham and Shapiro believe adaptations to crime and corruption play a major role and argue that better understanding of multiple happiness factors, including Taliban influence, should shape future U.S. strategy in the country.

Climate Change and Vulnerable Societies

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Kemal Derviş testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on America’s critical role in supporting climate change adaptation in the world’s most vulnerable communities. Derviş stressed that although global economies are facing serious financial challenges, time is of the essence to protect those most affected. He provided recommendations to enact globally acceptable and enforceable policies to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Aid Coordination on the Ground: Are Joint Country Assistance Strategies the Answer?

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The dilemma of what to do about aid fragmentation remains a challenge. In a new working paper, Johannes Linn discusses comprehensive approaches to aid coordination and how joint country assistance strategies could be an effective strategy.

Effective Development Assistance Through Competition

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It is now generally accepted that development interventions can only be successful and sustainable if they are accepted by stakeholders and implemented in accordance with local institutions, culture and norms. In this policy brief, Clifford Zinnes, answering the demand for foreign aid alternatives, assesses a new class of "tournament" approaches that promise to improve on the lackluster performance of conventional methods.

Crisis in Pakistan: Educate Women and Girls for Long-term Solutions

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pakistan’s humanitarian crisis brings a sharp focus on the need for long-term socio-economic development in the Northern region. In the Conflict Resolution and Prevention Forum, Rebecca Winthrop addressed the humanitarian crisis in Pakistan and called for further innovation and investment of education for girls and women.

G8 Africa Action Plan: Enhance Strategies for Development

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

African development has been a top agenda item at previous G8 Summits, including the creation of the Africa Action Plan and increased financial commitments to support economic growth. Although the continent has seen some progress, Mwangi Kimenyi argues that more should be done and provides specific strategies for more effective development.

Building A Basis For Success in Afghanistan

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While many of the military objectives have been determined in Afghanistan, Michael O'Hanlon believes there are many crucial decisions ahead regarding economic matters. O'Hanlon explores options ranging from increased foreign aid to developing free-trade agreements, and he offers suggestions for the challenges ahead.

Governance Matters VIII: Aggregate and Individual Governance Indicators, 1996-2008

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Kaufmann, Aart Kraay and Massimo Mastruzzi release Governance Matters VIII: Governance Indicators for 1996-2008. By updating the Worldwide Governance Indicators, the authors measure institutional quality, governance and the investment climate across 212 countries worldwide to show that good governance has a strong, positive impact on development.

Governance Matters 2009: Learning From Over a Decade of the Worldwide Governance Indicators

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Policy analysts, civil society groups and aid donors agree that good governance is critical for sustainable economic development. Yet, improving governance and fighting corruption is not always a priority, highlighting serious challenges in global economics. Daniel Kaufmann, Aart Kraay and Massimo Mastruzzi, authors of Governance Matters VIII and the updated Worldwide Governance Indicators, analyze evidence from 212 countries that shows good governance has a strong, positive impact on development.

Bootstrapping High-Tech: Evidence from Three Emerging High Technology Metropolitan Areas

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This report shows how three metropolitan areas—Portland (OR), Kansas City, and Boise—became centers of high technology industry without the presence of a major university and offers important information for policymakers and practitioners interested in technology-based economic development outside of well-established high tech centers.

Iran's Election: Economic Fears and Discontents

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Djavad Salehi-Isfahani continues to monitor post-election unrest from Tehran. He writes that deep social and economic divisions will continue to weaken the fabric of Iranian society, and will present a challenge for the next government as it attempts to reverse growing inequality in the country.

Iran's Economy: Trouble in Tehran

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Djavad Salehi-Isfahani assesses Iran's recent economic performance in Foreign Policy magazine, arguing that the country’s policymakers have amassed a mixed record. While government spending in the past year was based on safe estimates of oil prices, high levels of social spending will be hard to maintain and the private sector will struggle to revive the Iranian economy in 2009.

Joining Up Transportation, Housing, and Environmental Policy

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Robert Puentes argues that a new federal interagency partnership, debuted before the Senate this week, could provide the federal leadership necessary for a unified vision of transportation, housing, and environmental policy designed to tackle our interrelated economic, energy, and climate challenges.

Pakistan's Displaced Girls and Women—an Opportunity for Education

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Since November 2008, the fighting between the Pakistan government and Taliban militants has displaced over two and a half million people. In the midst of this crisis, Rebecca Winthrop identifies a window of opportunity to improve the education situation of girls and women, one that will sow long-term benefits for the region’s recovery and development.

Restoring Prosperity to Ohio

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

At a “Restoring Prosperity” gathering at Cleveland State University, Bruce Katz called upon Ohio’s leaders to take bold measures to stabilize the state’s economy by focusing on core communities—home to the assets that are key to recovery.

Obama's Call for Educating Women

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama's words in his historic Cairo address have raised the hopes of millions of girls around the world. David Gartner discusses how the president's call for educating women is a commitment that can be fulfilled through the creation of a Global Fund for Education.

International Volunteer Service: A Smart Way to Build Bridges

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama has proposed expanding the Peace Corps and building a global network of volunteers. To achieve this goal, David Caprara, Kevin F. F. Quigley and Lex Rieffel examine alternative service models and offer policy recommendations to the Obama Administration to further enhance U.S. volunteer opportunities with the goal of strengthening America’s multilateral development engagements.

Will the Singh Government Transform India Into a Modern Economy?

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As Manmohan Singh begins his second term as India's Prime Minister, many challenges lay ahead. Arvind Panagariya recommends that to push vital economic reforms ahead, Mr. Singh's government must focus on both the business and rural sectors.

Tracking the Global Financial Crisis: An Analysis of the IMF's World Economic Outlook

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The IMF's flagship publication, the World Economic Outlook (WEO), marks the most extensive effort to measure the health of the global economy since the outbreak of the financial crisis. Analyzing the WEO's projections, the Wolfensohn Center's Laurence Chandy, Geoffrey Gertz and Johannes Linn examine the countries and regions hit worst by the downturn and assess the lasting impact on the global economy.

Economic Transformation and Developmental Governance in Nigeria: The Promise of the Obama Era

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Nigeria, which has long struggled with governance issues and poverty, is in need of a profound economic transformation. In the inaugural BusinessDay Scholars in Society Forum in Lagos, Nigeria, Richard Joseph addressed the different challenges and opportunities that lie ahead on the country's path to economic growth and prosperity.

The IMF’s Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean

Thu, 21 May 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 21, 2009, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Spillovers from a global crisis that began in advanced economies pose a severe test to Latin America and the Caribbean region. On May 21, the Latin America Initiative at Brookings hosted Nicolás Eyzaguirre, director of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department, and Steve Phillips, also of the IMF, as they presented this year’s Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere report.

Stuck in the Middle: Is Fiscal Policy Failing the Middle Class?

Fri, 15 May 2009 10:00:00 GMT

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May 15, 2009, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

The economic well-being of the middle class can be crucial to the success of economic policies in both developed and developing countries. Yet many public policies are not aimed at the middle class. On May 15, Brookings hosted a discussion on the need to assess how fiscal policy affects the middle class around the world.

Well-being and Public Attitudes in Afghanistan: Some Insights from the Economics of Happiness

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In Afghanistan, individuals have to cope with the most adverse of circumstances. Carol Graham and Soumya Chattopadhyay use tools provided by a new approach in economics that relies on surveys of happiness or reported well-being to deepen our understanding of conditions there.They conclude that average happiness scores in Afghanistan are higher than the world average and discuss the implications of this and other findings for policy.

A Case Study of Aid Effectiveness in Ethiopia

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

International aid has significantly impacted Ethiopia's development initiatives since the end of World War II, and Ethiopia has been a major recipient of foreign aid in recent times. Project consultant Getnet Alemu examines the country’s aid flows—predominantly assisting Ethiopia's health sector—and argues that although aid has been instrumental in the country's development, donor coordination has been challenging.

Civil-Military Relations, Fostering Development, and Expanding Civilian Capacity

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Critical stabilization and reconstruction missions abroad must not only be viewed through the lenses of short-term goals or military operations, but as a key step in supporting sustainable economic development. In a workshop report, Noam Unger and Frederick Barton explore ways to rebalance American statecraft by strengthening civilian stabilization and development capacity within the U.S. government.

Financial Globalization and Economic Policies

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In a new working paper, Eswar Prasad and co-authors examine the economic policies that can help developing countries manage the process of financial globalization and recommend a tailored approach to balance the risks and benefits of financial integration.

Economic Downturn and Instability in China: Time for Political Reform?

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Though China’s economy is continuing to grow, the global economic crisis is contributing to rising unemployment there and increasing the potential for instability. Former CNAPS Visiting Fellow Ray Yep writes that the Chinese government is unlikely to heed calls for political reform in this climate, but will seek to soothe the discontented by economic means.

Tough Times Ahead for the Iranian Economy

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Djavad Salehi-Isfahani questions if Iran’s next president will proceed with the difficult but necessary reforms to build healthy and viable non-oil export sectors. Or, in the hopes of gaining political points, will they opt for short-term populist policies?

ARRA on the Ground

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Mark Muro and Jennifer Bradley argue that America’s national economic crisis is primarily a metropolitan crisis. How can we stimulate the economy when there’s no single U.S. economy, nor even 50 state economies? Instead we should concentrate on the loosely linked network of 363 metropolitan economies for the good of the nation.

What Works in Development? : Thinking Big and Thinking Small

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What Works in Development? brings together leading experts to address one of the most basic yet vexing issues in development: what do we really know about what works -- and what doesn't -- in fighting global poverty?

Metro Potential in ARRA: An Early Assessment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

America’s national economic crisis is also a metropolitan crisis, because metropolitan areas are the true engines of the national economy. So it matters intensely how well the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) empowers metropolitan leaders to boost prosperity. This paper finds that although ARRA is limited in its support for creative metropolitan-area implementation, it delivers critical investments in what matters to metros and holds out significant opportunity for metropolitan empowerment and problem-solving.

Grading Obama's Afghanistan Strategy

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While Michael O'Hanlon generally supports the new Afghanistan strategy set forth by the Obama administration, he feels it can still be improved and offers suggestions to do so.

The Limits to Fiscal Stimulus in Latin America and the Caribbean

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Despite calls for all countries to pursue stimulus efforts, not all countries are capable of enacting fiscal stimulus plans to foster economic growth during the global financial crisis. Mauricio Cárdenas and Julia Guerreiro discuss the current status of Latin American countries and consider the magnitude of fiscal stimulus efforts already underway.

The Developing Countries and the G-20

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Although few developing countries have systemic importance in terms of aggregate world demand, they need supportive global policy action for systemic economic reasons. Kemal Derviş recommends that they should request IMF reforms, greater fiscal support, and more humanitarian development assistance at the G-20 London Summit.

Taiwan and China Make Strides: Can America Respond?

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the year since his election, Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou has improved Taiwan’s economic relations with China, with the goal of improving both Taiwan’s economic health and cross-strait relations. Rupert Hammond-Chambers writes that the United States must seize this opportunity and deepen its economic engagement with Taiwan, for the sake of its own economic interests and for long-term cross-strait development.

Beyond Reconstruction: What Lies Ahead for Young Palestinians?

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Donors have pledged $4.4 billion in new aid to rebuild Gaza, yet serious questions remain regarding the fate of the Palestinian economy. Navtej Dhillon writes that the West Bank and Gaza need more than a lifeline of aid to achieve real development for a growing youth population.

Global Economic Crisis: Coping Mechanisms in Oil-Exporting Economies of the Middle East

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Djavad Salehi-Isfahani argues that the ongoing economic slowdown may stimulate development of new tradeable industries in oil-exporting countries. While large stocks of reserves may allow some countries to delay reform, external trade deficits and budget shortfalls will force some, like Iran, to consider more urgent fiscal adjustments.

In Dire Straits: The Urgent Need to Improve Economic Statistics

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Current, accurate economic statistics are crucial to monitoring the fragile condition of the U.S. economy and guiding it out of recession. However, Andrew Reamer indicates, the nation’s statistical system has been deteriorating before our eyes. He outlines steps the White House should take to repair the system.

How to Improve Governance : A New Framework for Analysis and Action

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This perceptive book emphasizes the need for an overall analytical framework that can be applied to different countries to help analyze the current situation, identify potential areas for improvement, and assess their relative feasibility and the steps needed to promote them.

The Chinese Growth Experience: A Golden Tapestry

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In a book review of "China’s Great Economic Transformation," edited by Loren Brandt and Thomas Rawski, Eswar Prasad focuses on critical questions about China's growth rates in recent years, including whether China has changed the laws of economics.

World Bank Reform: Proposals for the Next G-20 Summit

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The April 2, 2009 G-20 Summit should focus on easing the impact of the global financial crisis—particularly on the world’s poor. Leading up to the summit, Johannes Linn lists recommendations for critical World Bank reform so that the global institution can aid the developing world during this time of crisis.

What Happens in Vegas … Stimulates the Economy

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama might not have intended to knock Las Vegas when he admonished travel on the taxpayer’s dime, but Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman sure took it that way when he branded the comment “outrageous.” Mark Muro and Robert Lang write that we shouldn’t push austerity so hard that it is ultimately self-defeating. Sometimes junkets provide the truest form of economic stimulus.

The Great Stability is Over: The Poverty Trap Facing Low-Income Countries

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Homi Kharas analyzes the impact of the financial crisis on developing countries—from declining economic growth forecasts to cutbacks in development assistance. He argues that greater attention should be paid to managing risk in low income countries and developing countercyclical instruments in the international institutions to aid the developing world.

The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Africa

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 13, 2009, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

On February 13, 2009, the Brookings Global Economy and Development program hosted a luncheon to introduce Dr. Ernest Aryeetey, Director of the new Africa Growth Initiative, and to discuss the impact of the financial crisis on Africa.

Nigeria's Great Opportunity

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Nigeria possesses abundant assets to meet the economic challenges. Richard Joseph urges Nigerians to continue on the course of sustainable development efforts.

Latin America, the Global Financial Crisis and the Velocity of Business

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the effects of the financial crisis continue to be felt across the globe, much of Latin America should be well prepared to weather the global financial storms with more opportunity for growth. In a speech at the Economist's 11th Annual Conference on Latin America Private Equity, held in Miami Florida, Mauricio Cárdenas discusses how the United States and Latin American countries can work together, not only on financing and aid, but also on issues like trade, migration, energy, and climate change.

The Financial Crisis, a Development Emergency, and the Need for Aid

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Affected by the financial crisis, the world’s poorest countries are facing a development emergency. Cutbacks in foreign aid and devalued currencies are wiping out aid contributions that supply the world’s poor with basic necessities—food, education, and healthcare. Billions of aid dollars are sitting in Washington, ready for disbursement but hindered by bureaucracy. Homi Kharas outlines steps to accelerate the disbursement of this aid so that poor countries can receive the help they need.

Connecting Central Asia with the World

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Johannes Linn examines the impact of the global economic crisis on Central Asia—a transit and natural resource hub in the Eurasian super-continent. He assesses the region’s needs for economic integration and cooperation with the rest of the world.

The Middle East in a Post Oil-Boom Era?

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With recent global growth projections for 2009 painting an austere picture, Middle Eastern economies are entering a post oil boom phase. As economic security and recovery take on a renewed urgency, Navtej Dhillon outlines key considerations for the new Obama administration arguing that U.S. foreign assistance to the Middle East must be reassessed to support countries through this difficult transition.

Iran: Poverty and Inequality Since the Revolution

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Thirty years after the Iranian revolution proclaimed social justice as a principle tenet, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani analyzes trends in inequality, poverty, and access to education and health services. While strides have been made, the record of the Ahmadinejad administration, up for re-election, is mixed.

A Case Study of Aid Effectiveness in Kenya

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Because foreign aid to Kenya is highly volatile and fragmented, efforts are being made to coordinate and harmonize aid allocations. Project consultant Francis M. Mwega analyzes these efforts and focuses on the health sector to compare and contrast trends and experiences. This case study highlights the innovations and competencies that have developed over time to respond to the challenges in development aid.

Latin America's Economic Outlook for 2009: No Time for Optimism

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What is the forecast for Latin American economies in 2009? Brookings Fellow Mauricio Cardenas and Arturo Galindo of the Inter-American Development Bank explain why the Latin America economic outlook for 2009 does not appear particularly grim—and even offers the prospect of limited but continued growth—despite the sharp recession in the U.S., a key influencer on the region's economic growth patterns.

Communications Embargo on Cuba: Let Them Surf, Not Float

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While continuing to face dire economic challenges, Cuba has the potential to become a regional economic powerhouse. Kevin Casas-Zamora argues that one hurdle in particular keeps the Cuban economy from advancing: Cuba significantly lags behind the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean when it comes to the use information and communication technologies.

Does Openness To International Financial Flows Raise Productivity Growth?

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There is a vast empirical literature analyzing the impact of financial openness on economic growth but far less attention has been paid to its effects on productivity growth. This is surprising given the strong evidence that productivity growth is the main driver of long-term economic growth. In a new working paper, Eswar Prasad, along with M. Ayhan Kose and Marco E. Terrones, argues that financial openness in fact has a positive impact on productivity growth, although the effects are subtle.

The Economics of Happiness in Latin America

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 21, 2009, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

In spite of the challenges posed by poverty and high levels of inequality in Latin America, studies show its people are generally happy and continue to support market reforms and democracy. Yet, in the midst of the global financial crisis, will this trend shift in Latin America? On January 21, the Latin America Initiative at Brookings hosted a discussion on the current trends in the region in terms of economic growth, inflation, unemployment and the financial crisis, based on the most recent evaluations from a new approach in economics: the economics of happiness.

West Bank and Gaza Economy: Before and After the Crisis

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Navtej Dhillon speaks to Edward Sayre, co-author of a forthcoming Middle East Youth Initiative working paper on Palestinian youth, on the economic conditions in the Palestinian Territories. As the Gaza crisis continues and young Palestinians face deteriorating prospects, the imperative of transforming a weak and fragmented Palestinian economy is greater than ever.

Demographic and Economic Trends in the National Capital Region and their Effects on Children, Youth and Families

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Greater Washington Research at Brookings presented information on the demographic and economic trends of the Washington Rregion to Venture Philanthropy Partners, a regional philanthropic organization. The analysis focuses on the stresses and challenges facing a region that is generally prosperous but with some geographic areas and populations in economic distress.

China in a Turbulent Global Economic and Environmental Situation

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 10, 2009, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM

As the global financial crisis continues to impact economic growth predictions for countries around the globe, there is considerable debate about how the crisis will impact China’s growth trajectory and how Chinese policymakers will adapt to ensure a sustained trajectory. In early January 2009, leading policymakers from the U.S. and China, as well as Brookings experts Wing Thye Woo and Xiao Geng, gathered in Beijing to discuss the economic prospects for China in the years ahead, and to examine how growth challenges and opportunities will affect energy and climate change policies, trade, and Sino-U.S. relations.

Science, Engineering and Economic Growth in Africa: Development Cooperation Challenges and Opportunities

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 09, 2009, 9:00 AM to 10:30

Advances and innovations in science and technology have been essential catalysts of growth for developing societies. Yet sub-Saharan African countries continue to lag behind in science, technology, and engineering developments and applications. On January 9, Dr. Calestous Juma, Professor of the Practice of International Development at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, gave a talk on "Science, Engineering and Economic Growth in Africa" at the National Academy of Sciences.

The Poor Man's Burden

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Eighty years ago, a depression changed the way we think about poverty. It took decades for the world to recover and to remember that if people are given freedom, they will prosper. In an article in Foreign Policy Magazine, William Easterly reflects on lasting consequences of the original approach of "development economics" and cautions against returning to misguided plans to fight poverty.

Central America in 2009: Off the U.S. Radar

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As Barack Obama prepares to take office, Central America is falling off the radar among the many accumulated problems to address, domestic and international. Abraham Lowenthal examines four Central American countries and compares their changes and growth. He recommends modest investments in the region for the new Obama administration.

Breaking the Boom-Bust Oil Cycle

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While oil prices have decreased they won't remain that way due to demand and tight supplies. Jason Bordoff argues that faced with this reality, policymakers need to take measures now, while prices are low, to encourage both conservation and development of alternative energy sources.

Putin's Third Way

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With the rise in oil prices and a conservative fiscal policy, Russia turned from a debtor nation into an economic powerhouse. Putin’s strategy created a compromise between the excesses of the free market and the inefficiencies of a command economy. Yet there remain deep cracks in the foundation of the post-Soviet structure. In a recent article in The National Interest, Clifford Gaddy and Barry Ickes discuss whether or not his Putinomics can survive the financial crisis.

Financial Globalization and Productivity Growth

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There is a vast empirical literature analyzing the impact of financial openness on economic growth but far less attention has been paid to its effects on productivity growth. This is surprising given the strong evidence that productivity growth is the main driver of long-term economic growth. In this new commentary, Brookings fellow Eswar Prasad, along with M. Ayhan Kose and Marco E. Terrones, argues that financial openness in fact has a positive impact on productivity growth, although the effects are subtle.

The Diversification Challenge in Africa's Resource-Rich Economies

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Africa’s resource boom offers the hope of economic growth to many countries on the continent but how can governments ensure that natural resources fuel long-term growth rather than become a curse? In a new working paper, John Page discusses how natural resource wealth can be an effective driver of growth for Africa.

Why Are Saving Rates of Urban Households in China Rising?

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In China, the household savings rate rose by 7 percent from 1995 to 2005, reflecting savings of about one quarter of disposable income. Why are Chinese households saving so much across all demographic groups? In a new paper, Eswar Prasad and Marcos Chamon analyze the savings patterns of households in China and discuss the economic drivers.

Aid Effectiveness in Cambodia

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cambodia received over $5 billion in development assistance within the past decade, yet the country faces unpredictable donor flows and duplication of technical cooperation and funding for more than 400 donor missions. Ek Chanboreth and Sok Hach from the Economic Institute of Cambodia analyze these challenges and the government’s actions to strengthen aid coordination and management systems—most notably by developing an online database to better coordinate official development assistance.

The Local Economic Impact of “Eds & Meds”: How Policies to Expand Universities and Hospitals Affect Metropolitan Economies

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A Metropolitan Economy Initiative examination of the impact of policies to expand health care and higher finds that such a strategy would raise the earnings of metropolitan residents by roughly the same amount as conventional business tax incentives.

More Excuses from Donors at Doha

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The recent Doha Financing for Development Conference reviewed promises to increase the volume and quality of aid; yet, with the global financial industry in meltdown, aid to developing countries is expected to fall. Raj Desai and Homi Kharas argue that volatility in aid disbursements can send poor countries spinning into recession that then needs far more aid to reverse in the future.

Early Child Development for the Developing World

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 04, 2008, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

On December 4, 2008, the Wolfensohn Center for Development, in cooperation with the Committee for Economic Development, held a conference to raise awareness of early child development in the developing world and to foster support from the North American business community. Business leaders, international early child development experts, and public policy stakeholders developed strategies to increase private sector support for early child developing in developing countries.

A Call to Action for Global Early Child Development

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 04, 2008, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

On December 4, the Wolfensohn Center for Development at Brookings and the Committee for Economic Development hosted a discussion on the importance of early child development and its impact on sustainable economic development in the developing world.

Brookings: Topics - Economic Development

The Global Food Crisis: "The Silent Tsunami"

Sustaining Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Scouting Report Web Chat: Metro Areas and the Uneven Economic Recovery

The Scouting Report: Metro Areas and the Uneven Economic Recovery

The Middle East and the New Global Economy: Economic Recovery and a New Government in Lebanon

Political Polarization in Latin America

The U.S. Should Encourage Structural Transformation Strategies in Africa

Generation in Waiting : The Unfulfilled Promise of Young People in the Middle East

The Great Recession: What Comes Next for America’s Metros

The Great Recession: What Comes Next for Our Metropolitan Nation

Iraq's Economy Needs More Than Security

Tracking the Global Economic Recovery: Insights on the IMF's New World Economic Outlook

Latin America: Time for Reform, Not for Complacency

Expanding the Financial Services Frontier: Lessons From Mobile Phone Banking in Kenya

Africa's (Large)4 Problem

The Great Recession: What Comes Next for Our Metro Nation

Seattle's Opportunity Emerging from the Great Recession

Paradox and Perception : Measuring Quality of Life in Latin America

Contemporary Development Challenges in Kenya

Nigerian Foreign Minister Chief Ojo Maduekwe on the Nigeria-U.S. Partnership

Fighting Radicalism, not 'Terrorism': Root Causes of an International Actor Redefined

Universal Education is an Investment for America

What Comes Next for Our Metro Nation: The New Forces Driving Regionalism

The Middle East and the New Global Economy: Development and Diversification in Saudi Arabia

Three Reasons the Americans Should Support Global Education

The Middle East and the New Global Economy: Revisiting Egypt in the Wake of the Downturn

G-20 Summit: Recovering from the Crisis

Four Ways to Help Africa?

Ordinary Families, Extraordinary Lives : Assets and Poverty Reduction in Guayaquil, 1978-2004

Why Are Afghans Smiling?

Climate Change and Vulnerable Societies

Aid Coordination on the Ground: Are Joint Country Assistance Strategies the Answer?

Effective Development Assistance Through Competition

Crisis in Pakistan: Educate Women and Girls for Long-term Solutions

G8 Africa Action Plan: Enhance Strategies for Development

Building A Basis For Success in Afghanistan

Governance Matters VIII: Aggregate and Individual Governance Indicators, 1996-2008

Governance Matters 2009: Learning From Over a Decade of the Worldwide Governance Indicators

Bootstrapping High-Tech: Evidence from Three Emerging High Technology Metropolitan Areas

Iran's Election: Economic Fears and Discontents

Iran's Economy: Trouble in Tehran

Joining Up Transportation, Housing, and Environmental Policy

Pakistan's Displaced Girls and Women—an Opportunity for Education

Restoring Prosperity to Ohio

Obama's Call for Educating Women

International Volunteer Service: A Smart Way to Build Bridges

Will the Singh Government Transform India Into a Modern Economy?

Tracking the Global Financial Crisis: An Analysis of the IMF's World Economic Outlook

Economic Transformation and Developmental Governance in Nigeria: The Promise of the Obama Era

The IMF’s Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean

Stuck in the Middle: Is Fiscal Policy Failing the Middle Class?

Well-being and Public Attitudes in Afghanistan: Some Insights from the Economics of Happiness

A Case Study of Aid Effectiveness in Ethiopia

Civil-Military Relations, Fostering Development, and Expanding Civilian Capacity

Financial Globalization and Economic Policies

Economic Downturn and Instability in China: Time for Political Reform?

Tough Times Ahead for the Iranian Economy

ARRA on the Ground

What Works in Development? : Thinking Big and Thinking Small

Metro Potential in ARRA: An Early Assessment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Grading Obama's Afghanistan Strategy

The Limits to Fiscal Stimulus in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Developing Countries and the G-20

Taiwan and China Make Strides: Can America Respond?

Beyond Reconstruction: What Lies Ahead for Young Palestinians?

Global Economic Crisis: Coping Mechanisms in Oil-Exporting Economies of the Middle East

In Dire Straits: The Urgent Need to Improve Economic Statistics

How to Improve Governance : A New Framework for Analysis and Action

The Chinese Growth Experience: A Golden Tapestry

World Bank Reform: Proposals for the Next G-20 Summit

What Happens in Vegas … Stimulates the Economy

The Great Stability is Over: The Poverty Trap Facing Low-Income Countries

The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Africa

Nigeria's Great Opportunity

Latin America, the Global Financial Crisis and the Velocity of Business

The Financial Crisis, a Development Emergency, and the Need for Aid

Connecting Central Asia with the World

The Middle East in a Post Oil-Boom Era?

Iran: Poverty and Inequality Since the Revolution

Africa's (Large)⁴ Problem