Throughout mainstream economic development literature and, in particular, the analysis of international trade performance, references to the importance of allowing factor prices in a given land to reflect the relative scarcity of its factors of production abound. The consequences for developing...

In Germany since early 1981 a consensus has emerged predicting that an economic recovery is due for the second half of the year. This forecast of an upturn was put-forth for 1981 and for 1982. Despite these consensus, the forecasts proved to be wrong. Nonetheless in autumn 1982 the consensus...

In the course of the last quarter century increased attention has been drawn towards measures aimed at promoting economic growth by allowing economic activities to be set up in special delimited areas and freeing them therein from many distortions otherwise shackling the economy. This idea,...

The sarcasm of Baetiat almost 150 years ago quite aptly and in all seriousness covers a fair share of the arguments raised whenever foreign industries are more competitive than domestic ones. Vested interests, ranging from employers and employees to unions and elected officials, arouse support...

The paper begins with a brief overview of the developments leading up to the MFA and the role played by the European Economic Community (EEC), the largest market in the world for textiles and clothing. Next, the EEC is used as a reference point for an overview of protectionistic measures taken...

Examining labour market developments in Brazil, the fastest growing economy in Latin America over the twenty years through 1985, means dealing with the impact and interactions of policies in a multifacetted country the size of a continent, harboring very large differences in population densities...

This study represents an attempt to determine to what degree well-meant labor market policies negatively influence employment and hence unemployment levels. To do this a survey - referred to hereafter as the Labor Code Survey (LCS) - of firms in Panama was carried out. This survey is unique not...

This paper is based on a report commissioned by UNCTAD to serve as an input for the 1986 Trade and Development Report. The views expressed here within are solely those of the authors. Furthermore, the publication of this report should in no way be interpreted as official sanctioning or approval...

The present Multi-Fibre Arrangement expires on July 31st. What are the arguments voiced by the proponents of a further extention? What would be the effects of a reduction in protectionism on the textile and clothing industries?