International Development Policy Research Articles

Using forced migration to foster emergence? International aid and development policies in Cameroon

Abstract This paper examines the alignment of refugee aid interventions with Cameroon’s national policy of emergence, shedding light on an authoritarian government's utilization of international assistance. Drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork, it investigates how international policies aiming at turning refugees into a development opportunity for their host states are managed by an aid-receiving country and strategically leveraged by Cameroonian authorities to strengthen their political apparatus. It explores how the government integrates humanitarian responses with large-scale development policies, while retaining control over strategic sectors. Implementing the emergence policy enables Cameroon to reappropriate international standards, navigating complex donor relations to establish new legitimacy. The analysis highlights the power dynamics and implications of aid interventions within an authoritarian context, demonstrating the state's capacity to transform internal crises into productive forces. This research contributes to a better understanding of the links between refugee aid, host states’ domestic and international politics, and migration diplomacy.

Assessing the integration between disaster risk reduction and urban and regional planning curricula at tertiary institutions in South Africa

Urban areas are increasingly being affected by more frequent and severe disasters. It has been argued in theory and international development policy that the integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) within existing urban planning (UP) curricula would greatly benefit efforts to build resilient urban environments. However, the current status quo and progress of this crucial transdisciplinary integration in the South African University context remain unclear. Through the application of an exploratory mixed method research design, this article established that UP lecturers at South African universities have a good grasp of the theoretical need for the integration of DRR into existing curriculums and have also tentatively started to integrate DRR into some of their modules. However, because of challenges such as full curricula, financial and human resources constraints and integration predominantly happening on postgraduate level, integration has not occurred in sufficient depth while also missing the opportunity to expose the majority of the student cohort and future urban planners to much-needed DRR knowledge.Transdisciplinary contribution: This article illuminates the current status of integration across and collaboration between DRR and UP at selected South African Universities.

Financialization and rural development: comparing credit systems in Thailand and Cambodia

ABSTRACT This article compares rural credit systems in Thailand and Cambodia in order to advance studies on financialization and rural development in South East Asia. In Thailand, the state remains a large provider of credit to farmers. In Cambodia, most farmers access credit from a globalized, private microfinance industry. Based on qualitative research carried out in 2021 and 2022, we argue that farmer debt has led to divergent outcomes in Thailand and Cambodia due to their opposing systems of rural credit developed over the past half-century. These systems were forged within historically specific conjunctures of international development policies, state–capital relations and domestic politics of debt. Consequently, Thailand’s farmers access credit from the state at significantly lower costs and with more support in various forms. Over-indebtedness is a problem for some farmers, but not because state-controlled financial institutions charge excessive interest rates. In contrast, the cost of private credit is higher in Cambodia, with many farmers facing over-indebtedness with little to no support from the government. This article contributes to scholarship on financialization within South East Asia by demonstrating how the legacies and geopolitics of development, alongside the contentious politics of farmer debt, together shape the outcomes of rural credit systems.

Identifying the poor – Accounting for household economies of scale in global poverty estimates

Estimates of the number of people living in extreme poverty, as reported by the World Bank, figure prominently in international development dialogue and policy. An assumption underpinning these poverty counts is that there are no economies of scale in household size – a family of six needs three times as much as a family of two. This paper examines the sensitivity of global estimates of extreme poverty to changing this assumption. The analysis rests on nationally representative household surveys from 162 countries covering 97.5 percent of the population estimated to be in extreme poverty in 2019. We compare current-method estimates with a constant-elasticity scale adjustment that divides total household consumption or income not by household size but by the square-root of household size. While the regional profile of extreme poverty is robust to this change, the determination of who is poor changes substantially – the poverty status of 264 million people changes. We then discuss evidence suggesting that the assumption of economies of scale more closely aligns with non-consumption measures of poverty. Specifically, we draw from existing literature of subjective assessments of poverty and wellbeing, along with new empirical evidence from examining the partial correlation (conditional on household size) between the two measures of poverty and a set of presumed poverty covariates (i.e., years of schooling, literacy, asset index, working in agriculture, access to electricity, piped drinking water, improved sanitation).

Post-growth theories in a global world: A comparative analysis

Abstract The process of globalisation, the global pecking order, and most international development policies are anchored on the concept of economic growth, which is at the same time increasingly questioned on social and ecological grounds. Increases in global output (GDP) are indeed among the main drivers of energy and natural resources overuse, with potentially destructive consequences for the overall ecological balances sustaining life on the planet. As a consequence, a number of post-growth theories and approaches have emerged over the past few years. This article carries out a comparative analysis of three main post-growth schools of thought in order to trace back their origin, evolution, and policy impacts at the global level. It also investigates the main points of tension and synergy to advance the debate on how best to challenge conventional growth-based policies in the international arena.

Research on International Marketing Strategy of Chinese Export Enterprises

In the complex and changing international environment, Chinese aquatic product export enterprises need to fully consider all aspects of influencing factors when carrying out daily business activities, and formulate targeted international marketing strategies based on the current status of international market development and national policies and regulations. Based on the analysis of the current development status of the international market of aquatic products, this paper points out the advantages and disadvantages of the export of aquatic products represented by Chinese aquatic products export enterprises, and puts forward corresponding countermeasures for international marketing optimization.

NEOLIBERALISM AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The impact of neoliberal economic principles on environmental sustainability is investigated in this study, which critically investigates the complex relationship between neoliberalism and climate change. Neoliberalism has dominated the development of international economic policies. It is typified by its commitment to free markets, minimal government involvement, and the promotion of economic growth. Concurrently, due to human activity, the globe is experiencing a severe ecological crisis in the form of climate change. This study examines the relationship between neoliberalism and climate change, evaluating the efficacy of market-based remedies, the effects of deregulation, and the possibility of a worsening of socioeconomic inequalities. The study intends to provide light on the complexity and conflicts involved in reconciling the principles of neoliberalism with the goal of reducing climate change consequences and supporting long-term environmental sustainability through a thorough assessment of the literature and case studies.

Monitoring of non-indigenous marine species for legislative and policy goals in the UK

Globally, the ecological and socio-economic impacts of non-indigenous species (NIS) are increasingly recognised, prompting the development of international policies and legislation that aim to reduce these impacts. Monitoring programmes are required to assess compliance with legislation and progress towards management targets. However, monitoring programmes often need to fulfil the requirements of several legislative drivers, as well as adapt to changing political circumstances and environmental targets, and thereby face design and implementation challenges. In this paper, we summarise the current legislative drivers for monitoring of non-indigenous marine species and provide a review of existing monitoring in UK waters. This paper also discusses aspirations for NIS monitoring, outlines progress, and provides recommendations to address remaining gaps. While the focus is on the drivers for NIS monitoring in UK marine waters, the key messages, in particular recommendations for future improvements, are applicable on a global scale.

AI for social good and the corporate capture of global development

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the AI for Social Good (AI4SG) movement, which aims to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). It argues that, through AI4SG, Big Tech is attempting to advance AI-driven technosolutionism within the development policy and scholarly space creating new opportunities for rent extraction. The article situates AI4SG, within the history of ICT4D. It also highlights the contiguity of AI4SG with the so-called 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), a framework that places AI and other digital innovations at the center of national and international development and industrial policy agendas. By exploring how Big Tech has attempted to depoliticize datafication, we thus suggest that AI4SG and 4IR are mutually reinforcing discourses that serve the purpose of depoliticizing the development arena by bestowing legitimacy and authority to Big Tech to reshape policy spaces and epistemic infrastructures while inserting themselves, to an unprecedented degree, between the citizen (data) and the state (development and policy).

Towards energy sustainability: Exploring the nexus between global value chain participation and energy security in developing and developed countries.

International trade has a significant impact on global environmental quality and sustainable economic development. Global value chains (GVCs) have become a crucial component of international trade and development policy. The global production structure has become more complicated with the inclusion of domestic markets in GVC, putting significant pressure on world energy resources and environmental sustainability. Therefore, traditional trade measures no longer accurately reflect how global trade affects the energy security of developing and developed countries. Thus, this study is the first to use a panel-corrected standard error method to look at the relationship between GVC participation and energy security by using a global sample of 35 developed and 27 developing nations from 1995 to 2018. A feasible generalized least squares model was also applied to confirm the robustness of the model. Six indicators-foreign direct investment, industrialization level, capital formation, human capital index, political stability, and GVC-were used in this research to look at their impact on the four fundamental pillars of energy security (availability, applicability, sustainability, and affordability) for sustainable economic development. For developed countries, it was confirmed that there is a non-linear relationship between GVC participation and energy intensity, renewable energy consumption, and non-fossil fuel use. In the case of developing countries, the non-linear relationship in terms of all aspects of energy security was also confirmed. The findings also indicated that GVC's involvement benefits all four dimensions of energy security in both developing and developed countries once it reaches a certain threshold. Our findings further support the impacts of long-term cointegration between GVC and energy security for sustainable economic development. Therefore, the nations must promote technology transfer and capacity building within GVCs for inclusive energy security. Similarly, they may foster sustainable practices through collaborative governance for a stable global energy network by acknowledging the positive impact of income levels on energy security.

Preventing Further Tragedies of the Commons in Warming: Insights from Global Climate Policy

Based on the theory of the tragedy of the commons and the background of global warming, this paper examines the emergence, development, and specific problems of current international climate policies at the political economy level. The aim is to provide the global community with sustainable policy recommendations to address the challenges of climate change effectively. The paper explores complex topics like resource distribution, carbon emissions, climate adaptation, and international cooperation using an interdisciplinary approach. The study underscores the crucial role of economic policies in guiding resource use to combat global warming. It also emphasizes the challenges posed by international cooperation, political will, and social acceptance. The paper further discusses measures like establishing standardized standards for resource extraction and highlights the importance of long-term planning among nations. In conclusion, even though the tragedy of the commons poses significant challenges in the context of climate change, these can be mitigated through specific economic measures.

Research Translation for International Development: A Literature Review and Framework for Evidence Use and Partner Engagement

Many research-to-practice approaches exist, yet fundamental differences in interpretation and uneven application of research translation approaches create a real challenge in generating research-driven solutions for development challenges. In this review, we aim to clarify the plethora of approaches to increase research uptake into international development practice and policy. Through a qualitative analysis of 93 articles, we identified four interrelated factors that differentiate research translation approaches. Building off the variation expressed across these factors, we propose a conceptual framework called the Research Translation Continuum. This framework illustrates the range of ways to produce useful evidence and the range of ways that academics and practitioners can collaborate. Our study makes a unique contribution by providing a conceptual framework for guiding research translation efforts in international development. We conclude that critical reflexive engagement is needed to situate, use, and produce evidence for development policy and practice.

Developing The World By Teaching Domestic Consumption: Swiss Supermarkets And The Emergence Of Development Aid Policies In The Early Postwar Period

In the early post-Second World War period, Migros of Switzerland was the first European retail business to adopt the American supermarket model. Its success, however, has not only been a matter of technological and logistical innovation. Migros’ founder, Gottlieb Duttweiler, was convinced that consumer education was part and parcel of a new style of selling consumption. This conviction was at the basis of a strategy entering foreign markets and of exporting the Migros model abroad. Similar to post-World War II economic rehabilitation programs, Duttweiler pursued an indigenous modernization agenda, based on a new principle of “rational consumption”—he did not hesitate to label this as a genuine version of entrepreneurial development aid. Against the backdrop of the establishment of Migros’ activities in Turkey, this article discusses the participation of entrepreneurs in the international development policies after the Second World War. The history of Migros Türk sheds light not only on the entrepreneurial approach to modernization policy, which was often different to that adopted in government programs, but also on how this influenced critical consumerism inside and outside Switzerland over the long term.

What is the Problem of Gender Inequality Represented to be in Inter-National Development Policy in Burkina Faso?

This article contributes to critical policy analysis scholarship from a post-structuralism perspective. Employing the ‘What’s the problem represented to be’ (WPR) framework, a Foucault-influenced post-structural approach, we investigate what is the problem of Gender Inequality (GI) represented to be in development in Burkina Faso. Based on systematic analysis of selected (inter)national development policy documents and in-depth stakeholder interviews, our results show two main categories of problem representations: a) local culture/ informal structures that strengthen and are strengthened by patriarchy, and b) women’s weak agency that undermine their effective participation. These problem representations are framed from two different but overlapping standpoints: rights and development. Furthermore, the informal structures are presented as the source of the problem of GI while formal structures are portrayed as the solution. The underlying assumptions ignore the gendered impacts of history, colonial legacies, the interconnectedness and often-conflicting state policies and globalisation. Consequently, the problem of GI is depoliticised, rendered local, technical, and static. This deflects responsibility in solving the problem, limits local agency and the exploration of effective cultural and bottom-up policy responses. Alternatively, GI could be represented as a problem of structural unequal power relations – rather than a simplistic blame of local culture.

CFE Helsinki Tax Conference 2023: Summary Report on “Evolution or Devolution in the EU State Aid Judicial Practice and Impact of Digitalisation on Tax Practice”

In this note, the authors review the key points discussed at the CFE Professional Affairs Conference 2023 held in Helsinki, Finland on 21 September 2023, including enforcement of EU (State aid) law vis-à-vis aggressive tax planning practices, tax administration 3.0 and the current and expected developments in EU and international tax policy.

Pensar la SSR en el Pacífico: Reflexiones desde la literatura

Thinking about Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Pacific region implies great research challenges. The lack of statistics and research in this regard doubles the challenges to understand the phenomenon in these territories. However, this article proposes that the literature on the development of international and national policies on SRH can serve to guide research in this regard in the Colombian Pacific. In this way, it explores the normative development on SRH at the international level, hand in hand with feminist and academic criticism in this regard. Then, it describes the national progress in policies on SRH, so that it points out the academic criticism of these advances at the international level and shows the dialogues of this national regulation with the international advances in the matter. Likewise, it locates the main criticisms of the literature on the development and implementation of normative policies on SRH, so that it shows how the main studies on the subject in Guapi and Buenaventura are inserted in these criticisms.

LESSONS FROM THE MARSHALL PLAN FOR UKRAINE’S POST-WAR RECOVERY

This article presents a comprehensive discourse analysis of the Marshall Plan’s administration, shedding light on a facet of history that has often been overlooked in favor of discussions on aid effectiveness and outcomes. Central to our inquiry is the hypothesis that the institutionalization of U.S. foreign aid, initiated with the Marshall Plan, played a critical role in its success and laid the foundation for future aid initiatives. By focusing on the administrative strategies and decision-making processes, the study offers novel insights into how these elements contributed to the Plan’s effectiveness and the overall evolution of U.S. foreign aid policy. The analysis draws on a variety of primary sources, including historical documents, speeches, and policy papers, to provide a detailed picture of the Plan’s implementation. In doing so, we unveil the complex dynamics and challenges of post-war recovery efforts and the strategic decisions that shaped them. The findings reveal the intricacies of the Marshall Plan’s administration and provide valuable lessons for contemporary policy discourse, particularly in the context of Ukraine’s ongoing recovery and its significance to Kyiv’s international partners. This study contributes to the existing body of literature by offering a nuanced understanding of the Marshall Plan’s legacy and its enduring impact on international development and foreign aid. It serves as a vital resource for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners engaged in shaping effective and sustainable foreign aid programs in the modern era. This study also examines the evolution of U.S. foreign aid from the mid-19th century technical missions to the modern era, highlighting key changes in aid administration and objectives. By tracing this evolution, it contextualizes the Marshall Plan within the broader narrative of U.S. international development policy. The role of the Truman administration in shaping the plan and its broader foreign policy implications, including containment of communism and promotion of democracy, are critically analyzed. This article thus fills a gap in the literature by offering a comprehensive view of the Marshall Plan’s administration and its lasting influence on U.S. foreign aid policy.

The involvement of non-state actors in international relations: pros and cons for development processes in countries of the global south

This paper examines the involvement of non-state actors from the global north in relations with countries in the global south from a development perspective. Utilizing a SWOT analysis framework, the study analyzes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with their engagement. The findings highlight the potential benefits of their access to resources, expertise, and advocacy, as well as the challenges related to power imbalances, accountability, and cultural dynamics. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of the implications of non-state actor involvement in global south development, addressing gaps in knowledge, and offering insights for policy and practice in international development.

In Loco Parentis: Informal Kinship Care in Australia—Social Benefit and Material Poverty

Informal kinship care families in Australia are a large, hidden population. This article provides an overview of international research and policy developments regarding informal kinship care and considers their relevance to Australia. The benefit to children is identified along with the severe economic burden of care falling on caregiving families. Australian Federal and State policy settings are described in relation to the recognition and support of informal kinship care families, and an overwhelming need for better financial and social support is identified. Ways forward to improve the circumstances of these families are considered, together with areas for future research.

Мировая торговля в условиях международной финансовой неопределенности

The article examines the relationship and interdependence of the main vectors of development of international trade and policy in the monetary sphere. It is noted that despite the general state of uncertainty characteristic of the last three years, starting from the era of covid, the future development of international economic relations will be determined by the dual impact of digitalization processes, including finance, and the climate agenda. Separately, the impact on the current state of international trade of the spread of the platform infrastructure created by the digital giants of the Megacap - 8 group, as well as the activities of mega-global financial corporations, is considered. Particular emphasis is placed on the ambiguity of the consequences of the widespread use of blockchain technology, the positive aspects of which are certainly recognized. It is concluded that the modern transformation of the field of finance and monetary policy is becoming one of the most important factors influencing the course of world trade. However, given that the results of this impact are still unclear, the main direction of the policy of states and international organizations should be to combine efforts to create acceptable regulatory mechanisms.