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Structural Adjustment and Crises –Which Way Now?

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  • Anis Chowdhury

    (University of Western Sydney, Australia)

Abstract

This paper provides a critical evaluation of an orthodox policy framework that came to be known as the “Washington consensus”. The paper traces its ideological and political genesis as it became embodied in World Bank and International Monetary Fund aid conditionalities. Despite following reforms prescribed by the donors as part of aid conditionalities, many developing countries failed to achieve 1960s per capita growth rates. The Washington consensus prescriptions are too restrictive. They not only limited developing countries’ fiscal and policy space to deal with shocks and support structural change, but also increased their vulnerability to crises. The paper calls for governments to play a stronger role in dealing with developmental issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Anis Chowdhury, 2012. "Structural Adjustment and Crises –Which Way Now?," Institutions and Economies (formerly known as International Journal of Institutions and Economies), Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, vol. 4(1), pages 85-118, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:umk:journl:v:4:y:2012:i:1:p:85-118
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    growth; inequality; poverty; structural adjustment programme;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook
    • F32 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Current Account Adjustment; Short-term Capital Movements
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O24 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Trade Policy; Factor Movement; Foreign Exchange Policy

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