Some theoretical and empirical issues relating to economic stabilization in developing countries

This paper surveys some issues relating to economic stabilization in developing countries. Section 2 examines the contributions of terms-of-trade deterioration and real exchange rate appreciation to payments imbalances in non-oil developing countries during the 1970s. Section 3 distinguishes between demand-side and supply-side policies, and discusses their respective roles in stabilization programmes. The effects of exchange-rate changes are considered within this framework. In Section 4, the effects of alternative stabilization policies on output, prices and the balance of payments are illustrated using simulations of a model that incorporates the major relationships relevant to a typical programme. Section 5 summarizes the conclusions.     

Agriculture on the steep slopes of tropical America: Current situation and prospects for the year 2000

We examine agricultural and social indicators of the tropical American steep slopes. For the whole region, these areas currently produce between 20 and 40% of total agricultural output, have 20–50% of total agricultural land in annual crops, contain 30–50% of the farming population, and have the worst poverty. A similar situation appears likely for the year 2000. Viable development strategies for the steep sloped areas will involve increased agricultural productivity and off-farm employment to reduce poverty, economic incentives to preserve the resource base, and research into sustainable production systems for the part-time small farmers who are common there.     

The economic history of Thailand

The article, which is a first step in writing a general economic history of Thailand, highlights the marked discontinuities between stagnation and growth, mono–crop culture and diversification, which occurred around the 1950s. While many factors were involved, an underlying theme was the transition from ‘expensive’ to ‘cheap’ labour caused by population growth and the closing of the rice frontier.     

Taylorism, teams and technology in 'reengineering' work-organization

This article critically examines the phenomenon of 'Reengineering' (or Business Process Reengineering: as it is sometimes called) as a transfer of 'just-in-time' techniques developed in manufacturing to the office environment. The article concludes that its most likely diffusion will be for 'downsizing' and 'cost-reduction', and may result in a modest degree of success in only some of its applications to manufacturing and office environments.