Development economics

Table of Contents

1. Topic pack - Development economics - introduction
2. 4.1 Economic development (notes)
3. 4.1 Economic development (questions)
4. 4.2 Measuring Economic Development (notes)
5. 4.2 Measuring development (questions)
6. 4.3 The role of domestic factors in economic development (notes)
7. 4.3 The role of domestic factors in economic development (questions)
8. 4.4 The role of international trade (notes)
9. 4.4 The role of international trade (questions)
10. 4.5 The role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) (notes)
11. 4.5 The role of foreign direct investment (questions)
12. 4.6 The role of foreign aid and multilaterial development assistance (notes)
    1. Role of aid and MDA - introduction
    2. Foreign aid
    3. Aid - looking at the data
    4. Overseas development assistance
    5. Arguments for aid
    6. Arguments against aid
    7. Where do you stand on aid?
    8. Official development assistance - case studies
    9. Non-governmental organizations
    10. Multilateral development assistance
    11. International Monetary Fund (IMF)
    12. The World Bank
    13. A mighty wind of change (video)
    14. Structural Adjustment Programmes
    15. Non-convertible currencies versus convertible currencies
    16. Problems of SAPs (video)
13. 4.6 The role of foreign aid and multilateral development assistance (questions)
14. 4.7 The role of international debt (notes)
15. 4.7 The role of international debt (questions)
16. 4.8 The balance between markets and intervention (notes)
17. 4.8 The balance between markets and intervention (questions)
18. Print View

Non-governmental organizations

In recent years, one of the biggest growth industries in developing economies has been that of the NGOs - the non-governmental organisations. They undoubtedly do a very fine job (in most cases), but they can become almost a de facto government and exercise huge influence. They are 'guests' in a country and need to think carefully about the projects they select, and how they employ nationals. Many are essential to the fabric of the country in which they operate.

They work best when:

• Allowed to tackle issues at local level
• Encouraged to employ as many local workers as possible
• Specialised in specific and often rural-based project work
• Project monitoring is done very carefully
• Relations with governments are cordial, but not too friendly