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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

Urbanisation and Informality in Africa's Housing Markets 

Journal Articles
Karol Boudreaux
June 9, 2008

A maze of regulations and administrative barriers has imposed high transaction costs on formal-sector housing entrepreneurs. By raising the costs of providing low-income housing, African governments bear much responsibility for driving formal-sector entrepreneurs out of the housing market and for driving their citizens into slums.

A New Call of the Wild: Community-Based Natural Resource Management in Namibia 

Journal Articles
Karol Boudreaux
May 1, 2008

The Namibian government is currently addressing twin goals of environment protection and rural economic development by means of an innovative policy of community-based natural resource management. This policy, implemented by a legislative amendment in 1996, is helping to revive a previously decimated environment. At the same time, the policy is empowering local people.

Book Review of Paul Collier's "The Bottom Billion" 

Journal Articles
Karol Boudreaux
May 1, 2008

In this book review, Karol Boudreaux notes that Paul Collier makes a strong case that the world’s billion poorest people face unique challenges that call for strategic development assistance. In the end, however, Ms. Boudreaux emphasises that what is needed most is sustained entrepreneurship.

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."

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