This policy brief reviews whether the size of a country limits economic growth. Diseconomies of scale, indivisible fixed costs and geographic barriers represent intrinsic characteristics of small economies that might hinder economic growth. However, while some small economies have overcome the...

In this policy brief, we review the laments of Caribbean businesspersons. We find that subjective perceptions are rooted in an objective reality. Businesspersons do not complain gratuitously. Furthermore, we find that constraints vary systematically by firm characteristics: In general, small...

In this policy brief, we focus on the debates surrounding what has been called the "silent debt crisis" of the Caribbean. We discuss the level of debt at which the relation with economic growth turns from positive to negative. We also discuss, illustrated with simulations of the tradeoffs, how...

In this policy brief, we review the problem of a lack of competitiveness and the policy options to improve competitiveness and hence promote economic growth. Inadequate competitiveness can be measured as a sustained current account deficit of the balance of payments. We discuss the advantages...

This evaluation examines the IDB's Country Program with Suriname for the 2007-2010 period. During this period, Suriname has been characterized by good economic performance largely due to prudent macroeconomic and debt management coupled with a world-wide commodity boom. Nonetheless, given data...

This evaluation examines the IDB's Country Program with Brazil for the 2007-2010 period. The evaluation found that the program with Brazil has been very relevant, because the IDB has been able to maintain its competitive advantage in the country by changing its business model in light of...

This evaluation examines the IDB's non-sovereign operations with sub-national entities during the 2007-2010 period. The delivery of loans to sub-national borrowers in this period was modest, not even near breaching the one-third ceiling. Attention to the sub-national sector is important in Latin...

This paper examines the association between trust and community involvement with fear of crime. Fear of crime is measured by three typical perception measures: neighbourhood security; walking alone in the dark; and the risk of becoming a victim. The data is from Chile's Victimisation Survey. The...