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Trade, Globalization, and Development Policy Economics

Mercatus Center research seeks to understand the consequences – both intended and unintended – of U.S. policy in other countries and improve the state of knowledge to which these policies refer, thereby fostering solutions that promote a freer, more prosperous, and civil society.  Through in-depth case analyses and field study Mercatus scholars work to develop advanced approaches rooted in a knowledge of the market process. Research focus includes: international economic development and the impact of foreign aid on global prosperity, entrepreneurship and the conditions that enable or inhibit a dynamic economic marketplace, the effects of trade and globalization, the political economy of reform and development, and specific area studies. 

Recent Publications

Empowering the Poor through Property Rights 

Research Papers/Studies
Karol Boudreaux
April 14, 2008

As a member of the Working Group on Property Rights of the U.N. Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor, chaired by Madeleine Albright and Hernando de Soto, Enterprise Africa! lead researcher Karol Boudreaux contributed to chapter two of Making the Law Work for Everyone Volume II, titled, “Empowering the Poor through Property Rights.”

International Property Rights Index 2008 

Research Papers/Studies
Karol Boudreaux
February 26, 2008

Enterprise Africa! lead researcher Karol Boudreaux comments on land titling efforts in Africa as a means of erasing the problems of poverty. 

Mercatus On Policy - Planting Seeds of Hope 

Mercatus On Policy
Karol Boudreaux, Daniel Sacks
January 14, 2008

Despite tremendous worldwide economic progress over the past 50 years, hunger and food insecurity remain the daily reality for people around the world. In Africa alone, millions struggle against the ravages of hunger. However, one innovation, the Combi-Pack is showing great potential to reduce hunger and poverty among smallholder farmers in South Africa.

Mercatus On Policy - Conserving Communities 

Mercatus On Policy
Karol Boudreaux, Daniel Sacks
January 10, 2008

While many countries in Africa, such as Kenya, struggle with declining wildlife populations, Namibia’s wildlife numbers are on the rise thanks to an innovative program called Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM). 

The Micromagic of Microcredit 

Journal Articles
Karol Boudreaux, Tyler Cowen
January 8, 2008

Can microcredit achieve the massive changes its proponents claim? Is it the solution to poverty in the developing world, or something more ­modest—­a way to empower the poor, particularly poor women, with some control over their lives and their ­assets?

Paths to Property 

Books
Karol Boudreaux, Paul Dragos Aligica
December 18, 2007

This book explores some of the problems and challenges associated with the strategies and policy processes that may lead to the creation of property rights. There is a danger that the cumulated disappointments resulting from defective implementation of formalized property rights will lead, sooner or later, to an overall dismissal of the very idea that secure property are essential for growth and human flourishing.  This book argues that there is only one way to stop this disturbing possibility:  more sensible, more realistic, and better informed implementation strategies.

Economics in Many Lessons 

News Articles and Op-Eds
Karol Boudreaux, Donald Boudreaux
November 20, 2007

Mercatus scholars Karol and Donald Boudreaux share some positive lessons from Rwanda in this Pittsburgh Tribune-Review piece. "If you travel through Rwanda today you'll find that something nearly miraculous is happening: People who not long ago were bitter enemies are now working together to build businesses, to improve their lives and the lives of their families and to shape a new and a better future."

Why We Trade 

News Articles and Op-Eds
Russell Roberts
November 13, 2007

Russell Roberts discusses the logic of trade in this Foreign Policy article. "We’re used to shrugging off all sorts of rhetorical gobbledygook from our politicians. But when you hear U.S. presidential candidates start to mouth off about free trade, watch your wallet: A discredited 14th-century theory of economics is enjoying a dangerous renaissance in the 2008 campaign."

"Why Have Kiwis Not Become Tigers? Reforms, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development in New Zealand" 

Books
Frederic Sautet
November 8, 2007

Frederic Sautet's chapter "Why Have Kiwis Not Become Tigers? Reforms, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development in New Zealand" appears in the book Making Poor Nations Rich: Entrepreneurship and the Process of Economic Development, edited by Benjamin Powell and with a forward by Deepak Lal.

"Entrepreneurship or Entremanureship? Digging Through Romania's Institutional Environment for Transitional Lessons" 

Books
Peter Boettke, Christopher Coyne, Peter Leeson
November 8, 2007

Peter Boettke, Christopher Coyner, and Peter Leeson's chapter "Entrepreneurship or Entremanureship? Digging Through Romania's Institutional Environment for Transitional Lessons" appears in the book Making Poor Nations Rich: Entrepreneurship and the Process of Economic Development, edited by Benjamin Powell and with a forward by Deepak Lal.

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