We examine whether absorptive capacity represents a compulsory reason to reject the proposal of a large aid increase to support a big push. We argue that poverty trap is a probability for many countries, in particular the Least Developed Countries and that an aid increase is relevant for them....

Using the influence-driven approach to endogenous trade-policy determination, we show how a free-trade agreement (FTA) with rules of origin can work as a device to compensate losers from trade liberalization. The FTA constructed in this paper is characterized by external tariff structures that...

Using a rich dataset from West Africa we study the determinants of membership in rural producer organizations (RPO). We …nd that on average it is the more fortunate members of rural society who belong in RPOs. In Senegal, the dominant criteria are land ownership. In Burkina Faso it is economic...

This paper tries to take into account two contrasted points of view that can be found the literature: the first one showing that financial development has a positive effect on economic growth, and the second one stressing the unfavourable effect of financial crisis. Our main assumption is that...

A dominant trend in the literature maintains that donor assistance should be targeted to poor countries with sound institutions and policies. In this context, donor selectivity refers to what extent aid is allocated according to the principles of this "canonical" model. This paper shows that it...

L’émigration de travailleurs issus des pays en développement vers ceux dits développés est relativement plus qualifiée que la moyenne mondiale des travailleurs. Ceci engendre pour certains de ces PED une perte directe en capital humain non-négligeable. Une vision "optimiste"...

This paper aims at analyzing the role of the real exchange rate in the transmission of world price instability to producers of agricultural commodity-exporting developing countries. The analysis relates to a sample of 51 developing countries over the 1968-2002 period. In those countries whose...

Paradoxically, cotton price stabilization policies in Zone Franc Africa are questioned while their potential benefits seem more important today than at the time of their implementation. Producers face an increasing price volatility and the conditions of implementation of real insurance...

This paper considers how specific the Chinese growth experience is in the convergence debate. It shows the location of China within the cross-country relations of (absolute and conditional) convergence and its move since the transition period. Then it evidences a cross-province relation of...