Submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirements for Masters of Arts in Development Studies by coursework and research report In the Graduate School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, 2016 / Social cash transfer programmes on the African continent have more than doubled in the last decade, and this signifies a transformation in the perception of social cash transfers as ‘pity handouts’ to how they are seen today, as ‘productive investments’ in human capabilities. Southern Africa has been a pioneer in social protection growth in the last twenty years, but often accounts of these histories focus on pension schemes in places such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Lesotho. There is little incorporation of Mozambique’s social protection history, and most histories do not detail that Mozambique ranks fourth chronologically, in introduction of cash transfer programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa. This research puts forth that the Mozambican case of an early adoption of cash transfers in 1990 is a positive and unique example of a state’s active role in social protection despite neoliberal constraints. The state-led adoption of cash transfers in response to rising inequality and economic instability is unexpected at a time when these programmes were unpopular development interventions and when the state was supposedly rolled-back and confined because neoliberalism and the civil war. Tracing the history of Mozambican social cash transfers in the last 25 years illustrates two consistencies of the Mozambican government: 1. A supportive political position towards state involvement in welfare programmes, despite the government’s own political and development sector transformation from Marxist-Leninist orientation to welcoming of privatization; and 2. State financial and political support of social protection throughout a period when cash transfers in Sub-Saharan Africa went from unpopular hand-out interventions during crises, to lobbying for permanent social protection as a mechanism to address chronic poverty. / GR2017

This thesis is formally divided into 5 sections, which are: introduction, definition of basic terms, essay on the most important aspects of regulation of the payment services providers, chapter dedicated to payment systems and conclusion. It should argue on issues conected to payments and it is focused mainly on it's regulatory part. Introduction to the thesis sets the goal of it and defines the extent of the issues researched as well as the areas that are not accented much. The basic terms that are defined in the thesis are payment, payment relations, payment transactions, means of money, payment devices, electronic money, payment orders and payment services. This thesis contains non-regulatory issues as well as it accentuates the sociological importance of payment relations. It also shows historical connotations and describes trends which can be observed in the defined areas of exploration. It's goal is to explore and describe mainly the regulatory part of the issue though. The core structure of all parts is therefore focused mainly on the form of legal regulation of payments in effect. The biggest focus is set on description and analysis of the regulation of activities performed by providers of the payment services. Activities that consist of running the payment system and taking part on them...

The Law and Regulation of Payment Services Abstract The thesis deals with the subject of payment services, especially in the context of the Payment Services Directive 2, which recently came into force. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate which activities on the financial market are subject to regulation of payment services, to identify the persons authorised to provide payment services and to analyse certain rights and obligations arising between payment service users and payment service providers. The author also tries to analyse the changes brought by the Payment Services Directive 2 into the Czech law and considers the possible impact of such legislation on the payment services market and on the persons operating on it. The thesis is divided into five chapters, the first chapter deals with individual payment services; the second chapter defines activities that are out of the scope of payment services. The next chapter contains an overview of both Czech and EU law applicable to payment services, payment service providers and their activities. The fourth chapter is dedicated to the persons authorized to provide payment services and the fifth chapter describes the legal relationships arising when providing payment services, focusing mainly on the payment service contract, information duty of payment...

Esta dissertação procura contribuir para literatura empírica sobre crescimento econômico restrito pelo balanço de pagamentos através da investigação de como a mudança estrutural, identificada como alterações na composição setorial das exportações e importações, afeta a intensidade da restrição externa. Para tanto, são realizados dois exercícios empíricos. O primeiro fornece evidências para a validade da Lei de Thirlwall Multissetorial para um conjunto de 90 países no período 1965-1999, baseando-se na análise do erro de previsão e do desvio médio absoluto, assim como na aplicação de um teste de regressão. No segundo, apresentam-se evidências de que o crescimento econômico brasileiro no período 1962-2006 foi compatível tanto com a Lei de Thirlwall quanto com a Lei de Thirlwall Multissetorial. As implicações da Lei de Thirlwall Multissetorial foram utilizadas, então, para explorar a relação entre estrutura produtiva, mudança estrutural e restrição externa por meio da análise da evolução das elasticidades-renda ponderadas das exportações e importações. Dadas a natureza setorial deste exercício empírico e sua possível conexão com a literatura historiográfica sobre o II Plano Nacional de Desenvolvimento (1974-1979), os resultados do trabalho foram utilizados para avaliar a contribuição dos setores para a evolução das elasticidades-renda ponderadas das exportações e importações, subsidiando, assim, o debate existente acerca do ajustamento externo promovido entre 1974 e 1984. Os resultados sugerem que a interpretação de Castro (1985), mesmo quando avaliada sob uma métrica diferente daquela utilizada pelo autor, possui fundamento empírico. Porém, faz-se necessário ressaltar a qualificação de Fishlow (1986) de que a melhoria verificada na balança comercial nos anos 1983-1984 decorre em maior medida do comportamento das exportações do que das importações. / This dissertation aims to contribute to the empirical literature on balance-of-payments-constrained growth by investigating how structural change, identified with change in the sectoral composition of exports and/imports, affects the extent of the external constraint. This is done by two empirical exercises. The first one presents evidence in favor of the Multi-Sectoral Thirlwall Laws validity for a sample of 90 countries in the period 1965-1999, by analyzing the mean prediction error and the mean absolute deviation, as well as applying a regression test. In the second one, the evidence show that Brazilian economic growth in the period 1962-2006 was compatible with both Thirlwalls Law and Multi-Sectoral Thirlwalls Law. Multi-Sectoral Thirlwalls Law implications were, then, utilized to explore the relationship between productive structure, structural change and external constraint by analyzing the evolution of weighted income elasticities of exports and imports. Given the sectoral nature of this empirical exercise and its possible connection with the historical literature about the II National Development Plan (1974-1979), the results were used to evaluate the sectors contribution to the evolution of weighted income elasticities of exports and imports during the period. These findings provide additional support to the existing debate about the external adjustment promoted between 1974 and 1984. The results suggest that Castros (1985) interpretation has empirical support, even when evaluated using a different metric than the one used by the author. However, it is necessary to highlight Fishlows (1986) insight that the improvement verified in the trade balance in the years 1983-1984 came out to greater extent from exports behavior rather than from imports behavior.

À partir d’une enquête ethnographique portant sur les continuités et les changements des pratiques matrimoniales au village de Zhang (province du Henan), cette thèse vise à identifier et à expliquer si les modifications des rites et des processus matrimoniaux observés sont les témoins d’une transformation structurelle de l’institution du mariage en Chine rurale contemporaine. En étudiant les activités matrimoniales étape par étape, elle démontre que la valeur de la perpétuation du lignage patrilinéaire en tant que valeur transcendante englobant tous types de relations familiales demeure une réalité intangible. Même si de nombreux changements sont constatés dans le domaine de la vie privée depuis l’arrivée au pouvoir du Parti Communiste Chinois en 1949, ces changements concernent avant tout les manières dont les membres de la famille entretiennent et maintiennent les liens qui les unissent les uns avec les autres, mais ne remettent guère en question l’institution du mariage elle-même ni sa vocation principale, celle de la perpétuation du lignage patrilinéaire. Contrairement à la théorie de l’individualisation de la société chinoise proposée par l’anthropologue sino-américain YAN Yunxiang 阎云翔, les analyses fournies dans cette thèse soutiennent l’idée que les changements observés s’inscrivent dans un niveau secondaire et s’opèrent à l’intérieur d’une structure pérenne, soit un « changement dans la société » au lieu d’un « changement de la société ». / Based on an ethnographic study of matrimonial activities at Zhang Village (Henan province), this dissertation aims to identify continuities and changes in matrimonial rituals and procedures and explain whether observed changes speak of a structural transformation of the institution of marriage in contemporary rural China. By studying the matrimonial activities step by step, it demonstrates that perpetuation of the patrilineal lineage remains a transcendent value encompassing all types of family relationships. Although there have been many changes in private life since the Chinese Communist Party’s rise to power in 1949, these changes primarily concern the ways in which family members maintain bonds with each other, whereas, the institution of marriage itself, and its principal vocation, that of perpetuating the patrilineal lineage, are hardly called into question. Thus, against the thesis of the individualization of Chinese society suggested by the Sino-American anthropologist YAN Yunxiang, the analyses provided in this dissertation put forward the idea that observed changes take place within a perennial structure vis-à-vis what they are secondary. In other words, it is a "change in society" instead of a "change of society".

Este trabalho discute o mercado brasileiro de meios eletrônicos de pagamentos. O objetivo principal deste estudo é analisar os impactos causados pela evolução tecnológica do mercado brasileiro de meios de pagamentos eletrônicos, enfatizando a inovação e a ampliação dos serviços financeiros aos seus usuários. Para tanto, inicia com uma retrospectiva sobre as formas assumidas pela moeda, ao desempenhar uma de suas principais funções: ser um meio de troca ou de pagamento. A inovação é discutida a partir da revisão bibliográfica, que revisita desde autores renomados da teoria econômica, como Joseph Schumpeter, até publicações contemporâneas nas áreas de tecnologia da informação e de serviços. A caracterização do mercado de meios eletrônicos de pagamentos preocupa-se em evidenciar tanto aspectos quantitativos, que denotam o pujante crescimento deste mercado no Brasil e no mundo, como fatos que elucidam a interação deste segmento com a sociedade, em sua busca por maior bem-estar. O desenvolvimento da parte empírica conta com os dados sobre o uso do dispositivo mobile cedidos por uma instituição financeira. Os resultados provenientes da amostra verificada permitiram expandir a hipótese original, a saber, que o dispositivo mobile, além de ser considerado uma combinação inovadora, à luz da compreensão dos modelos e teorias abordados, é capaz de promover o melhor acesso e uso de serviços financeiros aos seus usuários. / This work deals with the Brazilian market for electronic payments. The aim of this study is to analyze the impacts of technological developments in the Brazilian market for electronic payments, emphasizing innovation and the expansion of financial services to its users. To accomplish that, it begins with a retrospective on the forms assumed by currency, to perform one of its main functions: to be a medium of exchange or of payments. Innovation is discussed by means of a brief literature review, revisiting from renowned authors of economic theory, like Joseph Schumpeter, to contemporary publications in the areas of technology information and services. The characterization of the market for mobile devices seeks to show both quantitative aspects that highlight the booming growth of this market in Brazil and the world, as well as facts elucidating the interaction of this segment with society, in their quest for greater well-being. The development of the empirical part includes the data obtained from a financial institution. The results from the sample verified allowed us to expand the original hypothesis that the mobile device, besides being an innovative gadget, in the light of understanding of the models and theories, is equally able to promote access and better use of financial services to its users.

Orientador: Antonio Carlos Macedo e Silva / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Economia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-17T12:09:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mazzi_CaioTorres_M.pdf: 2544919 bytes, checksum: 35405220fb3c10b12a04d8fcbe0628ba (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Este trabalho busca integrar dois importantes ramos da literatura pós-keynesiana: a chamada abordagem stock-flow consistent (SFC), cujas origens estão em trabalhos como Godley e Cripps (1983) e Godley (1997), entre outros; e a teoria do crescimento restrito pelo balanço de pagamentos (BPC), inaugurada no modelo seminal de Thirlwall (1979). Após uma breve revisão bibliográfica de ambas as literaturas, são construídas um modelo stock-flow consistent com crescimento e restrição externa. Utiliza-se o modelo para simular diferentes tipos de fluxos internacionais de capitais, que demonstram ter efeitos bastante distintos sobre a economia local / Abstract: The aim of this dissertation is the integration of two important branches of the Post Keynesian literature: the so called stock-flow consistent (SFC) approach, with origins that can be found in Godley and Cripps (1983) and Godley (1997), among others; and the theory of balance of payments constrained growth (BPC), initiated in the seminal model of Thirlwall (1979). After a brief review of both literatures, a stock-flow consistent model with growth and a balance of payments constraint is developed. The model is used to simulate international capital flows of various kinds, which demonstrate to have very different effects on the local economy / Mestrado / Ciências Economicas / Mestre em Ciências Econômicas

The first and second chapter sum up the most relevant parts of the generally accepted theory of external economic balance and the theory of exchange rates. The way of Czech Republic and entrance of Slovak republic to EMU is described in theird chapter. Fourth part anlyzes and compares development of the CZK and SKK (EUR). The final chapter compares the development of the shapes of the Czech and Slovak external economic balance.

China is the largest import partner of the United States. At the same time, China is the majority holder of U.S. Treasury securities. Moreover, both of these characteristics of the U.S.-China economic relations have become deeper over the last decade. The Chinese government gives its exporters a competitive advantage over American goods by undervaluing the exchange rate. This requires holding of foreign currency in reserve assets, or investing of foreign currency by buying dollar assets -- especially U.S. Treasury securities. One is supported by another and between both countries there is an increase of interdependence which is not based solely on the market principles. As the international trade and financial flows are affected by government's behavior -- both Chinese and American -- the economic interdependence creates certain risks. These risks can be reduced by fiscal discipline of the U.S. government together with the liberalization of the U.S.-China international trade.

L’Europe des paiements a connu une incontestable avancée avec l’instauration de la monnaie unique mais il y’avait une réelle nécessité d’aller au-delà de cette simple monnaie en créant un véritable espace unique de paiement européen. Le législateur européen a voulu créer un cadre commun et homogène en matière de services de paiement à l’ensemble des acteurs bancaires et financiers de la zone économique européenne. De ce souhait d’harmonisation est née la volonté de diminution des coûts. A cet effet, le législateur européen a introduit un nouvel acteur dans le système bancaire et financier : l'établissement de paiement. Cette nouvelle structure a donc été créée avec un objectif clairement affiché : celui de favoriser la mise en concurrence sur le marché des services de paiement afin d’aboutir à cette baisse des coûts. Afin de favoriser le développement des établissements de paiement, le législateur européen leur a consacré un cadre spécifique avec des conditions prudentielles assouplies et une procédure d’agrément dédiée. En contrepartie de ce cadre allégé, ces nouveaux établissements de paiement ne pourront proposer que des services de paiement restreints. Dès lors, la mise en concurrence avec leurs prédécesseurs ne pourra être que limitée.Par ailleurs, en présence de ces nouveaux acteurs et des services de paiement innovants pouvant être proposés, il était nécessaire d'offrir aux utilisateurs de services de paiement une protection spécifique. Mais le cadre réglementaire européen établi semble être incomplet. De même, notre réglementation nationale paraît inadaptée soulevant ainsi une nécessité de réforme générale. / Europe of payments knew an indisputable advance with the institution of the single currency but there was a real necessity of going beyond this simple currency by creating a real single space of European payment. The European legislator wanted to create a common and homogeneous frame regarding services of payment to all the banking and financial organizations of the European economic zone. Of this wish of harmonization was born the will of decrease of the costs. For that purpose, the European legislator introduced a new actor into the banking and financial system: the payment institution. This new structure was thus created with an objective clearly posted : to favor the putting in competition of payments services to end in this reduction of the costs.To favor the development of the payment institutions, the European legislator dedicated them a specific frame with softened prudent conditions and dedicated approval procedure. In return of this relieved frame, these new payment institutions can propose just restricted services of payment. From then on, the putting in competition with their predecessors can be only limited.Besides, in the presence of these new actors and innovative payment services being able to be proposed, it was necessary to offer to the users of services of payment a specific protection. But the established European regulatory framework seems to be incomplete. Also, our national regulations seem unsuitable so demonstrating a necessity of general reform.