The paper addresses the conceptual problem of defining social capital in economic development and presents a theoretical model that concentrates on describing the role of reputation mechanisms in accessing productive resources. The present work is part of a broader research programme aimed at...

In recognition of the considerable importance given in the literature to social capital as an instrument for both growth maximization and poverty reduction, this survey was launched as a pilot attempt to assess the contribution of microfinance to community-building and political participation,...

In this paper we consider the hypothesis that aid effectiveness can be linked to 'good policies' and thus that aid, if it is to have maximum impact, should be directed at countries following good policies. This is an idea which we have considerable sympathy with in principle and have built upon...

Has the increasingly pro-poor stance of the World Bank, as manifested in particular in its most recent World Development Report (WDR), caused it to abandon its traditionally free-market attitudes ? The answer is 'yes and no'. The pursuit of 'security' espoused by the WDR has forced the Bank to...