This thesis will focus on how growth in GDP has been allocated among the people in Brazil, during the years of 1976 and 2003. Moreover poverty and inequalities are investigated along with poverty reduction, thus if growth has been pro poor will be presented. The study analyse if growth has benefited the poorest part of the population in Brazil. In addition the regional differences – the southeast and the northeast – are analyzed separately in order to see if there is any difference in the two regions in the agricultural and the industrial sector respectively. This is done to see if there is any correlation between growth and poverty reduction. We used a theory by Arthur Lewis who developed a two sector model where only two sectors existed the agricultural and industrial the so called “Lewis organizational dualism”. This model was later to be modified by Gunnar Myrdal and Nicholas Kaldor, who blamed the current situation of every society on “historical accident” where, because of an upward spiral of cumulative causation, urban areas grew and regions in the periphery stagnated. We used data that was collected from Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA; Institute of Applied Economic Research) between the periods 1976 – 2003. We found that the income in the poorest part of the population seemed to grow at a much slower past that of the rich. Moreover, measured as by the headcount index – the share of the population that lives under $2 per day – has been reduced over time in total Brazil, but not in the agricultural sector in either region. Surprisingly industrial growth has only been beneficial for the poor in the northern part of the country. Therefore the conclusion is that poverty has not been pro poor in either relative or absolute terms. / Denna uppsats kommer att fokusera på hur tillväxt i Brasilien har blivit distribuerad mellan åren 1976 och 2003. Fattigdom och sociala skillnader undersöks för att se om fattigdomen har minskat, alltså om tillväxten har varit ”pro poor”. Detta analyseras på landsnivå för att sedan brytas ner på två regioner, den sydöstra och den nordöstra, för att lättare kunna jämföra skillnaderna mellan de olika regionera i de två olika sektorer; jordbrukssektorn och den industriella sektorn. Detta är gjort för att se om det finns något samband mellan tillväxt och fattigdoms reducering. Vi använde oss av ”Lewis organizational dualism” utvecklad av Arthur Lewis, som består av två olika sektorer, den industriella och jordbrukssektorn. Den kom sedan att revideras av Gunnar Myrdal and Nicholas Kaldor, som hävdade att det samhället som vi lever i idag är skapat av historiska tillfälligheter där de liknade städernas utveckling vid en uppåtgående spiral av ackumulerade tillfälligheter som gör att det fortsätter att växa varvid de regioner i periferin stagnerar eller rent av går tillbaka. Vi använde oss av data från Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA; Institutet för tillämpad ekonomisk forskning) mellan åren 1976 – 2003. Våra resultat visade att inkomsten hos de fattigaste väste mycket långsammare än de rikas. Vidare, mätt med måttet ”headcount index” – alltså de som lever under $2 per dag – har reducerats under de åren som vi har undersökt i hela Brasilien. I jordbrukssektorn har fattigdomen inte reducerats alls, verken i den nordöstra eller den sydöstra delen av landet. Det som är förvånansvärt är att fattigomen endast har reducerats i de nordöstra delarna, tack vare industriell utveckling. Därför drar vi slutsatsen att tillväxten i Brasilien inte har varit ”pro poor”, verken i den relativa eller den absoluta bemärkelsen.

This thesis presents an analysis of the economic impact of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in the textiles and apparel industry in Kenya and South Africa, and answers three consecutive questions. First, has AGOA been successful in reinforcing Kenya and South Africas reform efforts? Second, has AGOA been successful in facilitating the integration of Kenya and South Africas economy into the global economy? Finally, has AGOA been successful in promoting employment and poverty reduction in Kenya and South Africa? Using the textiles and apparel industry of the two countries as a case study, it was realised that AGOA has achieved much success in contributing to the reformation and integration of the economy of Kenya and South Africa into the global economy. However, it was found that AGOAs success in promoting poverty reduction through economic activities such as trade, investment and employment in the two countries has been mixed. While AGOA has contributed positively to the promotion of economic activities in the textiles and apparel industry in Kenya, the economic problems facing the textiles and apparel industry in South Africa has been exacerbated by AGOA. This study is important because it draws attention to the economic achievements of AGOA in the textiles and apparel industry in Kenya and South Africa.

This dissertation examines the effect of fiscal decentralization on poverty reduction and explores potential transmission channels through pro-poor sectoral outcomes such as basic education, basic healthcare and agricultural productivity. We first develop a theoretical model to explain the interaction between decentralization and poverty reduction outcomes. In particular, we show that the marginal effect of fiscal decentralization on pro-poor sectors depends largely on the outcome of the trade-off between potential benefits derived from better matching of local preference due to local proximity, and the lack of technical capacity at the local level. This finding provides, in a way, a theoretical explanation of the different outcomes observed in fiscal decentralization programs around the world. This inconclusive theoretical result motivates an empirical analysis to assess whether there is any statistical significant relationship between fiscal decentralization and poverty. We implement this estimation using the Generalized Method of Moment Instrumental Variable (GMM-IV) methodology on 97 countries spanned over the period 1975-2000. Our estimation results reveal a statistically significant, but non-linear relationship between fiscal decentralization and poverty. In addition, we empirically explore potential transmission mechanism of the effect of fiscal decentralization on poverty through three sectors (basic education, basic healthcare and agricultural extension) that have been shown in the literature on basic needs and also by development practitioners to have significant bearing on the well-being of the poor. Finally, given the relatively high level of poverty in addition to the fact that most African countries are far behind in attaining their Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets, we investigate whether the effect of fiscal decentralization on poverty will be greater in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) relative to other regions.

This dissertation attempts to examine the effect of urbanization on poverty reduction outcomes by considering various dimensions of poverty and channels of reducing poverty. First, we develop a theoretical model in order to infer a relationship between urbanization and poverty reduction outcomes. Specifically, it shows an optimal level of urbanization to properly allocate basic public infrastructure and promote pro-poor growth. Second, we conduct empirical analysis on international data to examine the testable hypotheses that are derived from the theoretical model. Further, we explore the “channeled effects” of urbanization on basic education and health by the IV estimation and on productivity by the dynamic panel GMM estimation. As the theoretical model suggests, our results exhibit the statistically significant relationship in a non-linear form between urbanization and poverty. In addition, we explore the impact of urbanization on poverty reduction outcomes in different regions in order to see the various magnitudes of urbanization effects among regions.

This dissertation examines how to evaluate a place-based poverty reduction program across different sites and scales. Unpacking urban planning’s dominant, normative construction of poverty, neighbourhoods, youth, and evaluation, this thesis presents an alternative view of evaluation, which recognizes the complexity and diversity of qualitative narratives describing the impacts of targeted human service programs on the places and peoples they serve. To answer this question, I crafted a theoretical framework linking the concept of the right to the city as presented by Lefebvre (1996), to Uri Bronfenbrenner’s (1977, 1979), 1995) understanding of the micro, macro, and meso systems in which children and youth operate. I then conducted a small-scale, qualitative case study of Pathways to Education Canada as it replicated and expanded, to examine and explore different ways of evaluating the success of a place-based poverty human service program. Using a participatory methodology, I listened to different stakeholders’ voices, particularly those of youth and staff, to examine and explore tensions in the construction of success.

This thesis presents an analysis of the economic impact of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in the textiles and apparel industry in Kenya and South Africa, and answers three consecutive questions. First, has AGOA been successful in reinforcing Kenya and South Africas reform efforts? Second, has AGOA been successful in facilitating the integration of Kenya and South Africas economy into the global economy? Finally, has AGOA been successful in promoting employment and poverty reduction in Kenya and South Africa? Using the textiles and apparel industry of the two countries as a case study, it was realised that AGOA has achieved much success in contributing to the reformation and integration of the economy of Kenya and South Africa into the global economy. However, it was found that AGOAs success in promoting poverty reduction through economic activities such as trade, investment and employment in the two countries has been mixed. While AGOA has contributed positively to the promotion of economic activities in the textiles and apparel industry in Kenya, the economic problems facing the textiles and apparel industry in South Africa has been exacerbated by AGOA. This study is important because it draws attention to the economic achievements of AGOA in the textiles and apparel industry in Kenya and South Africa.

Microfinance has spread rapidly since the 1970s and gained a lot of international attention. Advocates mean it is a good way to reduce poverty, but still there is no consensus within the research about the impacts of microfinance and its contribution to poverty reduction.The aim of this study is to assess the members’ perceptions about the impacts of the rural member-based microfinance institutions (MFIs), Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) and Village Community Bank (VICOBA), on members’ socio-economic situation as well as their perceptions about the contribution to poverty reduction and to identify potential obstacles. The study is mainly based on individual semi-structured interviews with members of SACCOS and VICOBA conducted between February and April 2012 in Babati district Tanzania and earlier research and studies within the area of microfinance and poverty reduction make up the theoretical framework. There is a general agreement among the members interviewed that these MFIs have positive impacts on their socio-economic situation. The results show that it helps to meet consumption needs, pay school fees, run small businesses, increase and diversify the income and the majority also believes that it can be a useful tool for poverty reduction. However, it doesn’t lead to poverty reduction automatically, it depends on how the loans are used and this study identifies several obstacles for SACCOS and VICOBA to be more effective and contribute more to poverty reduction. The main obstacles found are low repayment status, lack of capital and lack of education in both entrepreneurship and how these MFIs operate.

<p>This thesis will focus on how growth in GDP has been allocated among the people in Brazil, during the years of 1976 and 2003. Moreover poverty and inequalities are investigated along with poverty reduction, thus if growth has been pro poor will be presented. The study analyse if growth has benefited the poorest part of the population in Brazil. In addition the regional differences – the southeast and the northeast – are analyzed separately in order to see if there is any difference in the two regions in the agricultural and the industrial sector respectively. This is done to see if there is any correlation between growth and poverty reduction.</p><p>We used a theory by Arthur Lewis who developed a two sector model where only two sectors existed the agricultural and industrial the so called “Lewis organizational dualism”. This model was later to be modified by Gunnar Myrdal and Nicholas Kaldor, who blamed the current situation of every society on “historical accident” where, because of an upward spiral of cumulative causation, urban areas grew and regions in the periphery stagnated.</p><p>We used data that was collected from Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA; Institute of Applied Economic Research) between the periods 1976 – 2003. We found that the income in the poorest part of the population seemed to grow at a much slower past that of the rich. Moreover, measured as by the headcount index – the share of the population that lives under $2 per day – has been reduced over time in total Brazil, but not in the agricultural sector in either region. Surprisingly industrial growth has only been beneficial for the poor in the northern part of the country. Therefore the conclusion is that poverty has not been pro poor in either relative or absolute terms.</p> / <p>Denna uppsats kommer att fokusera på hur tillväxt i Brasilien har blivit distribuerad mellan åren 1976 och 2003. Fattigdom och sociala skillnader undersöks för att se om fattigdomen har minskat, alltså om tillväxten har varit ”pro poor”. Detta analyseras på landsnivå för att sedan brytas ner på två regioner, den sydöstra och den nordöstra, för att lättare kunna jämföra skillnaderna mellan de olika regionera i de två olika sektorer; jordbrukssektorn och den industriella sektorn. Detta är gjort för att se om det finns något samband mellan tillväxt och fattigdoms reducering.</p><p>Vi använde oss av ”Lewis organizational dualism” utvecklad av Arthur Lewis, som består av två olika sektorer, den industriella och jordbrukssektorn. Den kom sedan att revideras av Gunnar Myrdal and Nicholas Kaldor, som hävdade att det samhället som vi lever i idag är skapat av historiska tillfälligheter där de liknade städernas utveckling vid en uppåtgående spiral av ackumulerade tillfälligheter som gör att det fortsätter att växa varvid de regioner i periferin stagnerar eller rent av går tillbaka.</p><p>Vi använde oss av data från Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA; Institutet för tillämpad ekonomisk forskning) mellan åren 1976 – 2003. Våra resultat visade att inkomsten hos de fattigaste väste mycket långsammare än de rikas. Vidare, mätt med måttet ”headcount index” – alltså de som lever under $2 per dag – har reducerats under de åren som vi har undersökt i hela Brasilien. I jordbrukssektorn har fattigdomen inte reducerats alls, verken i den nordöstra eller den sydöstra delen av landet. Det som är förvånansvärt är att fattigomen endast har reducerats i de nordöstra delarna, tack vare industriell utveckling. Därför drar vi slutsatsen att tillväxten i Brasilien inte har varit ”pro poor”, verken i den relativa eller den absoluta bemärkelsen.</p>

Governments and donor agencies are increasingly advocating tourism as a viable poverty reduction option in developing countries. However, the debate surrounding tourism development mechanisms and benefits to local people is based upon limited empirical evidence. Much of the literature has focused on the socio-economic impacts of tourism in developing countries, but there is comparatively limited investment of the relationship between tourism and poverty reduction from the perspectives of the stakeholders, particularly local people. To build knowledge about this relationship, this research study examines the role of tourism in poverty reduction in Elmina, Ghana. The core aim of the research is to analyse the inter-relationship between poverty reduction and tourism from the perspective of local people and stakeholders. The research focuses upon the importance of tourism as a developmental strategy to tackle poverty. The research methodology was formulated within an interpretive paradigm utilising qualitative techniques to investigate tourism and poverty in Elmina. Stakeholders who participated in the study included: Government; Donor Agencies; Local People; Tourists; and the Private Sector. The data was analysed using thematic data analysis methods. Researcher reflexivity is also integrated into the study in view of the researcher’s experience of employment in a public sector tourism organisation in Ghana. The thematic findings contribute to knowledge about the relationship between tourism and poverty reduction in Elmina and are categorised into three main themes. Firstly, local people in Elmina define and understand poverty and tourism opportunities in multiple ways, which differ from other stakeholders; however, differences in meanings and understandings exist between and within individuals and groups in Elmina. The attributes accounting for the differences in views include: level of education; access to the tourism market; participation in decision-making; and type of businesses. Secondly, local people participate in tourism mainly as owners of informal tourism businesses and employees. ii However, a group of marginalised people, the ‘Castle Boys’, also benefit from the support received from philanthropic tourists through the activities of begging and informal tour guiding as ways of earning income to escape from poverty. Finally, several barriers to participation for local people in tourism exist in the Elmina community, which marginalises and excludes a cross-section of the locals from the advantages of socio-economic opportunities. These barriers include: a low level of education attainment; a lack of availability of and access to credit facilities; and a lack of ‘voice’ in the decision-making process, indicating a general need for capacity building. Government and donor agencies’ neoliberal policy objectives of utilising cultural tourism for development has failed to achieve poverty reduction in Elmina. This issue has given rise to evolving questions of the use of tourism as a developmental tool to reduce poverty and how to empower local people to actively participate in emerging socio-economic opportunities. This research subsequently contributes to furthering the understanding of the role of tourism in poverty reduction, and theoretically comprehending the role of tourism as a development strategy to combat poverty in local communities.

This dissertation examines how to evaluate a place-based poverty reduction program across different sites and scales. Unpacking urban planning’s dominant, normative construction of poverty, neighbourhoods, youth, and evaluation, this thesis presents an alternative view of evaluation, which recognizes the complexity and diversity of qualitative narratives describing the impacts of targeted human service programs on the places and peoples they serve. To answer this question, I crafted a theoretical framework linking the concept of the right to the city as presented by Lefebvre (1996), to Uri Bronfenbrenner’s (1977, 1979), 1995) understanding of the micro, macro, and meso systems in which children and youth operate. I then conducted a small-scale, qualitative case study of Pathways to Education Canada as it replicated and expanded, to examine and explore different ways of evaluating the success of a place-based poverty human service program. Using a participatory methodology, I listened to different stakeholders’ voices, particularly those of youth and staff, to examine and explore tensions in the construction of success.