The World Bank and ‘adjustment in Africa’

Ponte, Stefano Del

doi:10.1080/03056249508704158

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Review of African Political Economy

Volume 22, Issue 66

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The World Bank and ‘adjustment in Africa’

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Author(s): Stefano Ponte ^a ^, ^b

Publication date (Print): December 1995

Journal: Review of African Political Economy

Publisher: Review of African Political Economy

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Abstract

This article continues the debate on the effects of structural adjustment programmes in Africa as portrayed by the World Bank in Adjustment in Africa: Reforms, Results, and the Road Ahead (1994a). The World Bank's claim that ‘better policies pay off is found to be underspecified and misleading. Much of the divergence in growth rates between countries with different records of policy reform implementation results from the World Bank's peculiar classification and from the condition of the various economies prior to reform. It is concluded that the World Bank, rather than demonstrating the need for more adjustment, has revealed its failure to adopt an adequate long‐term strategy for Africa.

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): crea20

Journal ID (archive): CREA

Title: Review of African Political Economy

Publisher: Review of African Political Economy

ISSN (Print): 0305-6244

ISSN (Electronic): 1740-1720

Publication date (Print): December 1995

Volume: 22

Issue: 66

Pages: 539-558

Affiliations

^a School of Development Studies , University of East Anglia , Norwich , UK

^b Research Associate at the Development Studies Institute , Sokoine University of Agriculture , Morogoro, Tanzania

Article

Publisher ID: 8704158 Coden ID: Review of African Political Economy, Vol. 22, No. 66, December 1995, pp. 539-558

DOI: 10.1080/03056249508704158

SO-VID: 1654ef53-9e26-4d3f-9369-b69c6b2b0b16

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All content is freely available without charge to users or their institutions. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission of the publisher or the author. Articles published in the journal are distributed under a http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

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Figures: 0, Tables: 0, References: 62, Pages: 20

Bibliograpy

Addison T and mery L De. . 1993. . ‘Labour Markets, Poverty and Adjustment’. . Journal of International Development . , Vol. 5((2)): 135––143. .
Ajayi S I. . 1994. . “The State of Research on the Macroeconomic Effectiveness of Structural Adjustment Programmes in Sub‐Saharan Africa,’. ”. In Structural Adjustment and Beyond in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , Edited by: Hoeven R van der and Kraaij F van der. . London : : James Currey. .
Balassa B. . 1988. . “‘Quantitative Appraisal of Adjustment Lending’. ”. In Policy, Planning and Research Working Papers . , Washington : : World Bank. .
Bourguignon F and Morrisson C. . 1992. . Adjustment and Equity in Developing Countries: A New Approach . , Paris : : OECD Development Centre. .
Campbell B and Loxley J. . 1989. . Structural Adjustment in Africa . , Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .
Chhibber A and Fischer S. , eds. 1991. . Economic Reform in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A Symposium . , Washington : : World Bank. .
Corbo V and Fisher S. . 1991. . “‘Adjustment Programs and Bank Support: Rationale and Main Results’. ”. In Policy Research and External Affairs Working Papers . , Washington : : World Bank. .
Cornia G A and Helleiner G. . 1994. . From Adjustment to Development in Africa: Conflict, Convergence, Consensus? . , Basingstoke : : St Martin's Press. .
Cornia G A, Hoeven R van der and Mkandawire P. , eds. 1992. . Africa's Recovery in the 1990s: From Stagnation and Adjustment to Human Development . , Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .
Cornia G A, Jolly S and Stewart F. , eds. 1987. . Adjustment With a Human Face: Protecting the Vulnerable and Promoting Growth . , Oxford : : Clarendon Press. .
Demery L. . 1992. . “‘Structural Adjustment: Its Origins, Rationale and Achievements,’. ”. In Africa's Recovery in the 1990s: From Stagnation and Adjustment to Human Development . , Edited by: Cornia G A, Hoeven R van der and Mkandawire P. . Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .
Elbadawi I, Ghura D and Uwujaren G. . 1992. . “‘World Bank Adjustment Lending and Economic Performance in Sub‐Saharan Africa in the 1980s’. ”. In Policy Research Working Paper . , Washington : : World Bank. .
Faruqee R. . 1994. . “‘Nigeria: Ownership Abandoned’. ”. In Adjustment in Africa: Lessons from Country Case Studies . , Edited by: Husain I and Faruqee R. . Washington : : World Bank. .
Ferreira F. . 1992. . “The World Bank and the Study of Stabilization and Structural Adjustment in LDCs’. ”. In Development Economics Research Centre Working Paper . , London : : London School of Economics. .
Gibbon P. . 1992. . ‘The World Bank and African Poverty 1973–91’. . Journal of Modern African Studies . , Vol. 30((2)): 193––220. .
Gulhati R. . 1990. . The Making of Economic Policy in Africa . , Washington : : World Bank, Economic Development Institute. .
Helleiner G. . 1992. . ‘The IMF, the World Bank and Africa's Adjustment and External Debt Problems: An Unofficial View’. . World Development . , Vol. 20((6)): 779––792. .
van der Hoeven R and van der Kraaij F. , eds. Structural Adjustment and Beyond in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , London : : James Currey. .
Hoogvelt A, Phillips P and Taylor P. . 1992. . “The World Bank in Africa: A Case of Mistaken Identity,’. . ROAPE . , : 92––96. .
Husain I and Faruqee R. , eds. 1994. . Adjustment in Africa: Lessons from Country Case Studies . , Washington : : World Bank. .
IDS. . 1994. . ‘The Structural Adjustment of Structural Adjustment: Sub‐Saharan Africa 1980–1993’. . IDS Bulletin . , Vol. 25((3))
International Monetary Fund (IMF). . International Monetary Fund Annual Report . Washington :
International Monetary Fund (IMF). . January. 1994 . International Financial Statistics . , January. , Washington : : IMF. .
Jespersen E. . 1992. . “‘External Shocks, Adjustment Policies and Economic and Social Performance’. ”. In Africa's Recovery in the 1990s: From Stagnation and Adjustment to Human Development . , Edited by: Cornia G A, van der Hoeven R and Mkandawire P. . Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .
Kahler M. . 1992. . “‘External Influence, Conditionality, and the Politics of Adjustment’. ”. In The Politics of Economic Adjustment . , Edited by: Haggard S and Kaufman R R. . Princeton : : Princeton University Press. .
Killick T. . 1995. . “‘Economic Inflexibility in Africa Evidence and Causes’. ”. In The Flexible Economy Causes and Consequences of the Adaptability of National Economies . , Edited by: Killick T. . London : : Routledge. .
Mosley P. . 1994. . “‘Decomposing the Effects of Structural Adjustment: The Case of Sub‐Saharan Africa’. ”. In Structural Adjustment and Beyond in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , Edited by: van der Hoeven R and van der Kraaij F. . London : : James Currey. .
Mosley P. , ed. 1992. . Development Finance and Policy Reform . , Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .
Mosley P. . 1991. . “‘Structural Adjustment: A General Overview 1980–89’. ”. In Current Issues in Development Economics . , Edited by: Balasubramaniam V and Lall S. . Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .
Mosley P, Harrigan J and Toye J. . 1991. . Aid and Power: The World Bank and Policy‐Based Lending . , London : : Routledge. .
Mosley P and Weeks J. . 1994. . ‘Adjustment in Africa,’. . Development Policy Review . , : 319––327. .
Mosley P and Weeks J. . 1993. . ‘Has Recovery Begun? ‘Africa's Adjustment in the 1980s’ Revisited’. . World Development . , Vol. 21((10)): 1583––1599. .
Nyang'oro J E and Shaw T M. . 1992. . Beyond Structural Adjustment in Africa . , New York : : Praeger. .
Pio A. . 1992. . “‘The Social Dimensions of Economic Adjustment Programmes: Economic Feedbacks and Implications for Medium and Long‐Term Growth’. ”. In Development Finance and Policy Reform . , Edited by: Mosley P. . Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .
Riddell J B. . 1992. . “Things Fall Apart Again: Structural Adjustment Programmes in Sub‐Saharan Africa’. . Journal of Modern African Studies . , Vol. 30((1)): 53––68. .
Schatz S P. . 1994. . ‘Structural Adjustment in Africa: A Failing Grade So Far’. . The Journal of Modem African Studies . , Vol. 32((4)): 679––692. .
Sepehri A. . 1994. . ‘Back to the Future? A Critical Review of ‘Adjustment in Africa: Reforms, Results and the Road Ahead’. . Review of African Political Economy . , : 559––568. .
Seshamani V. . 1994. . “‘Structural Adjustment and Poverty Alleviation: Some Issues on the Use of Social Safety Nets and Targeted Public Expenditures’. ”. In Structural Adjustment and Beyond in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , Edited by: van der Hoeven R and van der Kraaij F. . London : : James Currey. .
Singer H W. . 1994. . “‘Structural Adjustment Programmes: Evaluating Success’. ”. In Trade, Aid and Development . , Edited by: Gunning J W, Kox H, Tims W and Wit Y De. . Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .
Stein H and Nafzinger E W. . 1991. . ‘Structural Adjustment, Human Needs, and the World Bank Agenda’. . Journal of Modern African Studies . , Vol. 29((1)): 173––189. .
Stewart F. . 1991a. . ‘Are Adjustment Policies in Africa Consistent with Long‐Run Development Needs?’. . Development Policy Review . , : 413––436. .
Stewart F. . 1991b. . “The Many Faces of Adjustment’. . World Development . , Vol. 19((12)): 1847––1864. .
Stewart F, Lall S and Wangwe S. , eds. 1992. . Alternative Development Strategies in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .
Taylor L. . 1988. . Variety of Stabilization Experience: Towards Sensible Macroeconomics in the Third World . , Oxford : : Clarendon Press. .
Toye J. . 1994. . “‘Structural Adjustment: Context, Assumptions, Origin and Diversity’. ”. In Structural Adjustment and Beyond in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , Edited by: van der Hoeven R and van der Kraaij F. . London : : James Currey. .
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). . 1989. . African Alternatives to Structural Adjustment Programmes: A Framework for Transformation and Recovery . Addis Ababa :
Woodward D. . 1992. . Debt, Adjustment and Poverty in Developing Countries, Volume I: National and International Dimensions of Debt and Adjustment in Developing Countries . , London : : Pinter. .
World Bank. . 1979. . The World Bank Annual Report . Washington :
World Bank. . 1994a. . Adjustment in Africa: Reforms, Results, and the Road Ahead .
World Bank. . 1994b. . World Development Report 1994 .
World Bank. . 1993. . World Tables 1993 .
World Bank. . 1992a. . “‘Report on Adjustment Lending III: Mobilization of Public and Private Resources for Growth’. ”. World Bank, Country Economics Department. .
World Bank. . 1992b. . World Development Report 1992 .
World Bank. . 1991. . Economic Performance and Effectiveness of Bank Supported Adjustment Programs in Sub‐Saharan Africa .
World Bank. . 1990a. . “‘Report on Adjustment Lending II: Policies for the Recovery of Growth’. ”.
World Bank. . l990b. . Adjustment Lending Policies for Sustainable Growth . , World Bank, Country Economics Department. .
World Bank. . 1989. . Sub‐Saharan Africa: From Crisis to Sustainable Growth .
World Bank. . 1988. . “‘Report on Adjustment Lending’. ”. World Bank, Country Economics Dept. .
World Bank. . 1986. . “‘Structural Adjustment Lending: A First Review of Experience’. ”. World Bank, Operations Evaluation Department. .
World Bank. . 1981. . Accelerated Development in Sub‐Saharan Africa: An Agenda for Action .
World Bank and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). . 1992. . African Development Indicators .
World Bank and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). . 1989. . Africa's Adjustment and Growth in the 1980s .

Comments

Comment on this article

[1] Addison T and mery L De. . 1993. . ‘Labour Markets, Poverty and Adjustment’. . Journal of International Development . , Vol. 5((2)): 135––143. .

[2] Ajayi S I. . 1994. . “The State of Research on the Macroeconomic Effectiveness of Structural Adjustment Programmes in Sub‐Saharan Africa,’. ”. In Structural Adjustment and Beyond in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , Edited by: Hoeven R van der and Kraaij F van der. . London : : James Currey. .

[3] Balassa B. . 1988. . “‘Quantitative Appraisal of Adjustment Lending’. ”. In Policy, Planning and Research Working Papers . , Washington : : World Bank. .

[4] Bourguignon F and Morrisson C. . 1992. . Adjustment and Equity in Developing Countries: A New Approach . , Paris : : OECD Development Centre. .

[5] Campbell B and Loxley J. . 1989. . Structural Adjustment in Africa . , Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .

[6] Chhibber A and Fischer S. , eds. 1991. . Economic Reform in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A Symposium . , Washington : : World Bank. .

[7] Corbo V and Fisher S. . 1991. . “‘Adjustment Programs and Bank Support: Rationale and Main Results’. ”. In Policy Research and External Affairs Working Papers . , Washington : : World Bank. .

[8] Cornia G A and Helleiner G. . 1994. . From Adjustment to Development in Africa: Conflict, Convergence, Consensus? . , Basingstoke : : St Martin's Press. .

[9] Cornia G A, Hoeven R van der and Mkandawire P. , eds. 1992. . Africa's Recovery in the 1990s: From Stagnation and Adjustment to Human Development . , Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .

[10] Cornia G A, Jolly S and Stewart F. , eds. 1987. . Adjustment With a Human Face: Protecting the Vulnerable and Promoting Growth . , Oxford : : Clarendon Press. .

[11] Demery L. . 1992. . “‘Structural Adjustment: Its Origins, Rationale and Achievements,’. ”. In Africa's Recovery in the 1990s: From Stagnation and Adjustment to Human Development . , Edited by: Cornia G A, Hoeven R van der and Mkandawire P. . Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .

[12] Elbadawi I, Ghura D and Uwujaren G. . 1992. . “‘World Bank Adjustment Lending and Economic Performance in Sub‐Saharan Africa in the 1980s’. ”. In Policy Research Working Paper . , Washington : : World Bank. .

[13] Faruqee R. . 1994. . “‘Nigeria: Ownership Abandoned’. ”. In Adjustment in Africa: Lessons from Country Case Studies . , Edited by: Husain I and Faruqee R. . Washington : : World Bank. .

[14] Ferreira F. . 1992. . “The World Bank and the Study of Stabilization and Structural Adjustment in LDCs’. ”. In Development Economics Research Centre Working Paper . , London : : London School of Economics. .

[15] Gibbon P. . 1992. . ‘The World Bank and African Poverty 1973–91’. . Journal of Modern African Studies . , Vol. 30((2)): 193––220. .

[16] Gulhati R. . 1990. . The Making of Economic Policy in Africa . , Washington : : World Bank, Economic Development Institute. .

[17] Helleiner G. . 1992. . ‘The IMF, the World Bank and Africa's Adjustment and External Debt Problems: An Unofficial View’. . World Development . , Vol. 20((6)): 779––792. .

[18] van der Hoeven R and van der Kraaij F. , eds. Structural Adjustment and Beyond in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , London : : James Currey. .

[19] Hoogvelt A, Phillips P and Taylor P. . 1992. . “The World Bank in Africa: A Case of Mistaken Identity,’. . ROAPE . , : 92––96. .

[20] Husain I and Faruqee R. , eds. 1994. . Adjustment in Africa: Lessons from Country Case Studies . , Washington : : World Bank. .

[21] IDS. . 1994. . ‘The Structural Adjustment of Structural Adjustment: Sub‐Saharan Africa 1980–1993’. . IDS Bulletin . , Vol. 25((3))

[22] International Monetary Fund (IMF). . International Monetary Fund Annual Report . Washington :

[23] International Monetary Fund (IMF). . January. 1994 . International Financial Statistics . , January. , Washington : : IMF. .

[24] Jespersen E. . 1992. . “‘External Shocks, Adjustment Policies and Economic and Social Performance’. ”. In Africa's Recovery in the 1990s: From Stagnation and Adjustment to Human Development . , Edited by: Cornia G A, van der Hoeven R and Mkandawire P. . Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .

[25] Kahler M. . 1992. . “‘External Influence, Conditionality, and the Politics of Adjustment’. ”. In The Politics of Economic Adjustment . , Edited by: Haggard S and Kaufman R R. . Princeton : : Princeton University Press. .

[26] Killick T. . 1995. . “‘Economic Inflexibility in Africa Evidence and Causes’. ”. In The Flexible Economy Causes and Consequences of the Adaptability of National Economies . , Edited by: Killick T. . London : : Routledge. .

[27] Mosley P. . 1994. . “‘Decomposing the Effects of Structural Adjustment: The Case of Sub‐Saharan Africa’. ”. In Structural Adjustment and Beyond in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , Edited by: van der Hoeven R and van der Kraaij F. . London : : James Currey. .

[28] Mosley P. , ed. 1992. . Development Finance and Policy Reform . , Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .

[29] Mosley P. . 1991. . “‘Structural Adjustment: A General Overview 1980–89’. ”. In Current Issues in Development Economics . , Edited by: Balasubramaniam V and Lall S. . Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .

[30] Mosley P, Harrigan J and Toye J. . 1991. . Aid and Power: The World Bank and Policy‐Based Lending . , London : : Routledge. .

[31] Mosley P and Weeks J. . 1994. . ‘Adjustment in Africa,’. . Development Policy Review . , : 319––327. .

[32] Mosley P and Weeks J. . 1993. . ‘Has Recovery Begun? ‘Africa's Adjustment in the 1980s’ Revisited’. . World Development . , Vol. 21((10)): 1583––1599. .

[33] Nyang'oro J E and Shaw T M. . 1992. . Beyond Structural Adjustment in Africa . , New York : : Praeger. .

[34] Pio A. . 1992. . “‘The Social Dimensions of Economic Adjustment Programmes: Economic Feedbacks and Implications for Medium and Long‐Term Growth’. ”. In Development Finance and Policy Reform . , Edited by: Mosley P. . Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .

[35] Riddell J B. . 1992. . “Things Fall Apart Again: Structural Adjustment Programmes in Sub‐Saharan Africa’. . Journal of Modern African Studies . , Vol. 30((1)): 53––68. .

[36] Schatz S P. . 1994. . ‘Structural Adjustment in Africa: A Failing Grade So Far’. . The Journal of Modem African Studies . , Vol. 32((4)): 679––692. .

[37] Sepehri A. . 1994. . ‘Back to the Future? A Critical Review of ‘Adjustment in Africa: Reforms, Results and the Road Ahead’. . Review of African Political Economy . , : 559––568. .

[38] Seshamani V. . 1994. . “‘Structural Adjustment and Poverty Alleviation: Some Issues on the Use of Social Safety Nets and Targeted Public Expenditures’. ”. In Structural Adjustment and Beyond in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , Edited by: van der Hoeven R and van der Kraaij F. . London : : James Currey. .

[39] Singer H W. . 1994. . “‘Structural Adjustment Programmes: Evaluating Success’. ”. In Trade, Aid and Development . , Edited by: Gunning J W, Kox H, Tims W and Wit Y De. . Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .

[40] Stein H and Nafzinger E W. . 1991. . ‘Structural Adjustment, Human Needs, and the World Bank Agenda’. . Journal of Modern African Studies . , Vol. 29((1)): 173––189. .

[41] Stewart F. . 1991a. . ‘Are Adjustment Policies in Africa Consistent with Long‐Run Development Needs?’. . Development Policy Review . , : 413––436. .

[42] Stewart F. . 1991b. . “The Many Faces of Adjustment’. . World Development . , Vol. 19((12)): 1847––1864. .

[43] Stewart F, Lall S and Wangwe S. , eds. 1992. . Alternative Development Strategies in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , Basingstoke : : Macmillan. .

[44] Taylor L. . 1988. . Variety of Stabilization Experience: Towards Sensible Macroeconomics in the Third World . , Oxford : : Clarendon Press. .

[45] Toye J. . 1994. . “‘Structural Adjustment: Context, Assumptions, Origin and Diversity’. ”. In Structural Adjustment and Beyond in Sub‐Saharan Africa . , Edited by: van der Hoeven R and van der Kraaij F. . London : : James Currey. .

[46] United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). . 1989. . African Alternatives to Structural Adjustment Programmes: A Framework for Transformation and Recovery . Addis Ababa :

[47] Woodward D. . 1992. . Debt, Adjustment and Poverty in Developing Countries, Volume I: National and International Dimensions of Debt and Adjustment in Developing Countries . , London : : Pinter. .

[48] World Bank. . 1979. . The World Bank Annual Report . Washington :

[49] World Bank. . 1994a. . Adjustment in Africa: Reforms, Results, and the Road Ahead .

[50] World Bank. . 1994b. . World Development Report 1994 .

[51] World Bank. . 1993. . World Tables 1993 .

[52] World Bank. . 1992a. . “‘Report on Adjustment Lending III: Mobilization of Public and Private Resources for Growth’. ”. World Bank, Country Economics Department. .

[53] World Bank. . 1992b. . World Development Report 1992 .

[54] World Bank. . 1991. . Economic Performance and Effectiveness of Bank Supported Adjustment Programs in Sub‐Saharan Africa .

[55] World Bank. . 1990a. . “‘Report on Adjustment Lending II: Policies for the Recovery of Growth’. ”.

[56] World Bank. . l990b. . Adjustment Lending Policies for Sustainable Growth . , World Bank, Country Economics Department. .

[57] World Bank. . 1989. . Sub‐Saharan Africa: From Crisis to Sustainable Growth .

[58] World Bank. . 1988. . “‘Report on Adjustment Lending’. ”. World Bank, Country Economics Dept. .

[59] World Bank. . 1986. . “‘Structural Adjustment Lending: A First Review of Experience’. ”. World Bank, Operations Evaluation Department. .

[60] World Bank. . 1981. . Accelerated Development in Sub‐Saharan Africa: An Agenda for Action .

[61] World Bank and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). . 1992. . African Development Indicators .

[62] World Bank and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). . 1989. . Africa's Adjustment and Growth in the 1980s .

Review of African Political Economy

The World Bank and ‘adjustment in Africa’

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