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Whatever Inconsistencies and Effects? Explaining the Resilience of the Policy Reforms Applied to Developing Countries

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  • Alice Nicole Sindzingre

    (EconomiX - EconomiX - UPN - Université Paris Nanterre - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

Why is ‘neoliberalism' still a predominant framework within economics and policymaking? The paper considers the mix of theoretical assumptions, causalities and policies known as the ‘Washington consensus', focusing on developing countries. Firstly, it analyses their main elements, resilience and effects (the ‘lost decades in spite of policy reform'). Secondly, it examines the reasons of this resilience and argues that a reason is their adaptive capacity via constant exchanges between facts and conceptual assumptions, because this mix is constituted of heterogeneous elements (from neoclassical theory, ad hoc models or empirics-based policymaking): inconsistency is a core feature and as such its correction is irrelevant. These ‘adaptive inconsistencies' are consolidated by the simultaneous theoretical/policy dimension of the mix. Its cognitive resilience is reinforced by the irrefutability of causations and the cause/effect time lag (‘after current costs, there will be gains', e.g., growth), and is not challenged by the social costs of policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Alice Nicole Sindzingre, 2015. "Whatever Inconsistencies and Effects? Explaining the Resilience of the Policy Reforms Applied to Developing Countries," Post-Print hal-01644136, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01644136
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Alice Nicole Sindzingre, 2016. "From an Eroding Model to Questioned Trade Relationships: The European Union and Sub-Saharan Africa," Insight on Africa, , vol. 8(2), pages 81-95, July.
    2. Alice Nicole Sindzingre, 2015. "‘Policy Externalisation’ Inherent Failure: International Financial Institutions’ Conditionality in Developing Countries," Post-Print hal-01668367, HAL.
    3. Alice Sindzingre, 2021. "Assessing the Concept of Change in International Financial Institutions' Theories and Policies: The Example of Sub-Saharan African Countries," Post-Print halshs-03625137, HAL.
    4. Abdul Rahman & Muhammad Arshad Khan, 2024. "Role of consistent regime-specific policies in recovering the negative relationship between financial development and economic growth," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 1-27, August.

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