The author reviews case studies of four Caribbean countries-the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad-and briefly discusses an African country, Mauritius. He compares labour legislation, nationality of investors, technology transfer, and linkages with the rest of the economy. Of...

That the Government of Mauritius provides nearly every resident over the age of 60 with a non-contributory, basic pension is one of the best-kept secrets in the world. The scheme dates from 1950 and became universal in 1958, following abolition of a means test. Remarkably, introduction of a...

The development of what one might call 'modern' systems of information and communication began with the Gutenberg printing press in the 15th century, and progressed through the prepaid postal system, electric telegraph and telephone in the 19th century, radio and television broadcasting in the...

This paper chronicles the rise of social pensions in Mexico. First it summarizes the pension system prior to introduction of social pensions. Next it describes how Mexico City, the federal government, and seventeen of Mexico’s 31 states initiated social pensions, a policy supported eventually...

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights promises free elementary education and free choice of schools to children and their parents. International fora emphasise the first right while neglecting the second. This essay examines arguments for limiting school choice and finds each of them to be...

The author defines terms and concepts discussed in an Expert Group Meeting on Civil Society Participation in Fiscal Policy held at UN headquarters in New York City. He addresses first the question, What is civil society? The term is used in varied ways by different writers, which makes...

Using cross-country data for 51 countries, including 23 in Africa, the author controls for differences in per capita income and measures the effect of structural variables on a number of outcomes, including the quality, integrity and prestige of public service. He finds merit-based recruitment...

Logit analysis is employed to measure the effect of selected variables on the probability that a firm (1) purchases imported technology, (2) engages in research and development, and (3) controls the quality of its production. Analysis of 4,342 industrial establishments shows these technological...