A social development perspective is used to seek an answer to the question: why is the incidence of absolute poverty so different among developing countries in East Asia, South Asia and Latin America?

Bangladesh spends only 2 percent of its GNP on education, compared to 3.2 percent in an average low-income country. Low investment in education results in low literacy (only 35 percent), which in turn results in low productivity, low incomes, poor health and, above all, high population growth....

This paper reviews recent institutional change and innovative mechanisms for funding of agricultural research in Latin America, including commercialization of research results through joint public- private sector ventures, competitive funds, research foundations, farmer-managed levies on...

This paper proposes a program for judicial reform which specifically addresses the main factors affecting the quality of court services, its monopolistic nature and the resultant inefficiency. The reform program also addresses the economic and legal causes at the root of an inefficient and...

The overarching objective of the World Bank's assistance to Sub-Saharan African countries is poverty reduction through sustained economic growth at a high level and improved social services. Past experience shows that a minimum level of educational attainment has been a prerequisite for the...