Malcolm McPherson | Harvard University (original) (raw)
Papers by Malcolm McPherson
reveal if this endeavor succeeds. 10 What we do know already, however, is that donor support is o... more reveal if this endeavor succeeds. 10 What we do know already, however, is that donor support is only one of numerous factors that will be required. 11 This paper has a framework that helps identify the positive and negative factors influencing progress towards UPE. It does this by highlighting how human capacity is generated and used. The paper is arranged as follows. Section two discusses the contribution of primary education to economic development, and the changes needed within the education system and the broader economy and society that enable primary education to expand. Section three examines the factors, both within and outside the education system, that contribute to the generation and use of human capacity. Section four presents a framework for analyzing these factors. Among other things, it shows that EFA-FTI is a potentially useful but narrow means of expanding primary education. Section five uses the indicators to illustrate the different paths along which developing countries can move towards UPE. For many poor countries, the most obvious path of directly expanding primary education may not be the most rapid, or enduring, way forward. Section six has concluding observations and suggestions for further research. BACKGROUND Public policies that promote economic development require action on two fronts. One set of activities is needed to generate income, improve access, enhance welfare, and redress inequities. These are the direct goals of public policy. Examples include improved agricultural technology, training teachers, removing barriers to learning opportunities, supplying rural health clinics with medicine, connecting squatter housing to sanitation services, and providing food relief. A second set of activities is required to support and sustain the first set. 12 Examples are rural road construction, training the trainers of teachers, subsidizing families whose children face high education risks, establishing inventory management, control, and auditing systems, staffing and funding public works departments, and engaging NGOs and civil society to strengthen food marketing and distribution networks.
The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author and not necessarily of the af... more The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author and not necessarily of the affiliated institutions. C itiA rts Public A rt and U
The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author(s) and not necessarily of the... more The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author(s) and not necessarily of the affiliated institutions. C itiA rts Public A rt and U
The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author(s) and not necessarily of the... more The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author(s) and not necessarily of the affiliated institutions. Equity and Growth through Economic Research EAGER supports economic and social science policy analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary goal is to increase the availability and the use of policy analysis by both public and private sector decision-makers. In addition to the goal of achieving policy reform, EAGER seeks to improve the capacity of African researchers and research organizations to contribute to policy debates in their countries. In support of this goal, EAGER sponsors collaboration among American and African researchers and research organizations. EAGER is implemented through two cooperative agreements and a communications logistics contract financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Strategic Analysis Division, The Office of Sustainable Development, Bureau for Africa. A consortium led by the Harvard Institute for I...
Economic Development and Cultural Change, 2001
EAGER supports economic and social science policy analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary goa... more EAGER supports economic and social science policy analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary goal is to increase the availability and the use of policy analysis by both public and private sector decision-makers. In addition to the goal of achieving policy reform, EAGER seeks to improve the capacity of African researchers and research organizations to contribute to policy debates in their countries. In support of this goal, EAGER sponsors collaboration among American and African researchers and research organizations. EAGER is implemented through two cooperative agreements and a communications logistics contract financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Strategic Analysis Division, The Office of Sustainable Development, Bureau for Africa. A consortium led by the Harvard Institute for International Development (HIID) holds the cooperative agreement for Public Strategies for Growth and Equity. Associates for International Resources and Development (AIRD) leads the group that holds the cooperative agreement for Trade Regimes and Growth. The Communications Logistics Contract (CLC) is held by a consortium led by BHM International, Inc. (BHM). Other capacity-building support provides for policy analysis by African institutions including the African Economic Research Consortium, Réseau sur Les Politiques Industrielles (Network on Industrial Policy), Programme Troisième Cycle Interuniversitaire en Economie, and the International Center for Economic Growth. Clients for EAGER research activities include African governments and private organizations, USAID country missions and USAID/Washington, and other donors.
EAGER supports economic and social science policy analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary goa... more EAGER supports economic and social science policy analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary goal is to increase the availability and the use of policy analysis by both public and private sector decision-makers. In addition to the goal of achieving policy reform, EAGER seeks to improve the capacity of African researchers and research organizations to contribute to policy debates in their countries. In support of this goal, EAGER sponsors collaboration among American and African researchers and research organizations. EAGER is implemented through two cooperative agreements and a communications logistics contract financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Strategic Analysis Division, The Office of Sustainable Development, Bureau for Africa. A consortium led by the Harvard Institute for International Development (HIID) holds the cooperative agreement for Public Strategies for Growth and Equity. Associates for International Resources and Development (AIRD) leads the group that holds the cooperative agreement for Trade Regimes and Growth. The Communications Logistics Contract (CLC) is held by a consortium led by BHM International, Inc. (BHM). Other capacity-building support provides for policy analysis by African institutions including the African Economic Research Consortium, Réseau sur Les Politiques Industrielles (Network on Industrial Policy), Programme Troisième Cycle Interuniversitaire en Economie, and the International Center for Economic Growth. Clients for EAGER research activities include African governments and private organizations, USAID country missions and USAID/Washington, and other donors.
SAIS Review, 1998
SAIS Review Copyright © 1998 The Johns Hopkins University Press. All rights reserved. SAIS Review... more SAIS Review Copyright © 1998 The Johns Hopkins University Press. All rights reserved. SAIS Review 18.2 (1998) 153-167, ...
This paper describes the capacity building efforts undertaken as part of the Macroeconomic Techni... more This paper describes the capacity building efforts undertaken as part of the Macroeconomic Technical Assistance Project (METAP) in Zambia. It begins by examining the background to capacity building in Zambia. It then discusses the circumstances within the ministry of finance where the efforts of METAP staff were concentrated. In terms of numbers trained, procedures modified, and organizational changes made, the activities under METAP had a major impact on the ministry. Whether the effort will be sustained is debatable. This, however, is more directly related to the ambivalence of the government of Zambia to the whole process of economic reform rather than general deficiencies in the approach to capacity building adopted under METAP. In broad terms, the Zambian situation reconfirms that technical assistance will continue having a small impact on growth and development so long as governments remain unwilling to vigorously promote economic and social reform.
This paper examines productivity growth in two resource dependent countries – Indonesia and Ghana... more This paper examines productivity growth in two resource dependent countries – Indonesia and Ghana – over the last three decades. We explicitly distinguish between resource abundant and resource dependent countries. Both have large physical and economic supplies of natural resources, but they differ significantly in how they use their resources for economic and social development.
This paper examines the relationship between foreign aid and poverty reduction using cross-sectio... more This paper examines the relationship between foreign aid and poverty reduction using cross-sectional and panel data. We disaggregate foreign aid and use several of poverty indexes. We show that while real per capita income has the robust and highly significant impact on poverty reduction, aid has no significant effect. A simulation based on our results show that Sub-Saharan Africa is seriously off track to achieve MDG of halving poverty by 2015.
Center for Business and Government-Harvard University. Dr McPherson has more than 20 years of res... more Center for Business and Government-Harvard University. Dr McPherson has more than 20 years of research experience in African economic development and financial institutions. He has consulted for economic ministries in Zambia, Mozambique, Ethiopia, The Gambia, as well as national and global agencies like The World Bank and USAID. His publications include several books and numerous chapters and articles on macroeconomic management, agricultural development, and financial reform. He has taught in workshops around the world and at Harvard. The common thread in his work, though, is the way in which capacity building-whether through human capital, infrastructure, networks or institutions-affects macroeconomic development. Co-Chair of a trans-pacific dialogue Creating a Productive Future: Social and Economic Challenges, Policy and Governance. He has designed and delivered capacity building workshops in Asia and Australia, and he has also held visiting researcher affiliations at the
International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior, 2002
World Development, 1982
We examine agricultural and social indicators of the tropical American steep slopes. For the whol... more 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.
Journal of Macromarketing, 2011
Land policy is crucial to Vietnam’s socioeconomic development. Yet, land policy in Vietnam often ... more Land policy is crucial to Vietnam’s socioeconomic development. Yet, land policy in Vietnam often is short-sighted, resulting in inequities and a form of commons tragedy. In this essay, the author reviews the evolving land policy in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, pointing out inconsistencies and shortcomings. The essay concludes with recommendations to improve policy and the long-term well-being of Vietnam and its people; specifically, several events should occur for Vietnam to achieve middle-income status by 2020, as the government of Vietnam intends. Rapid industrialization and modernization should continue; land currently used for agriculture (particularly rice) need to be converted to industrial parks; residential areas, and infrastructure; and all land should be used in ways that yields the highest social returns. Public investment should help boost agricultural (and land) productivity; and environmental (and land) management should ensure that the institutions and incentive...
Journal of Development Studies, 1986
Shapiro's [7953] critique of Schultz's' efficient but poor hypothesis' in thi... more Shapiro's [7953] critique of Schultz's' efficient but poor hypothesis' in this Journal, while not the first [cf. Lipton, 1968], is a welcome contribution to the literature. Development specialists now generally believe farmers are efficient, accepting the view that agricultural output ...
Journal of Development Economics, 1978
Economic Development and Cultural Change, 2001
In 1997 the World Bank's two vice-presidents for Sub-Saharan Africa attributed a significant impr... more In 1997 the World Bank's two vice-presidents for Sub-Saharan Africa attributed a significant improvement in Africa's growth prospects to the advent of a new generation of leaders, replacing their "once largely statist and corrupt" predecessors. This paper begins by tracing the evolution of African chief executives over the past two decades. Of 48 holding office on 1 st January 1999, 22 were in power a decade earlier and eight already ten years before that. Examination of ten countries, with focus on Kenya and Zambia, raises the question: why, after these incumbents had presided over economic catastrophe, were socio-political structures unable to replace them with better leaders? A review of leading treatments of the political economy of economic reform highlights the dichotomy between interest-group analysis, versus studies that accord a major role to the unpredictable advent of individuals with qualities that, by promoting policy reform, help launch their countries onto paths of rapid growth. Given the multitude of problems facing most African countries, even leaders of extraordinary ability and "vision" would find it difficult to guide them rapidly through the required reforms. However, a few concrete steps on the leadership's part to raise agricultural production and promote export of labor-intensive manufactures would greatly increase the prospects for accelerated growth. The paper challenges other social scientists to tell us more about how African social structures can create power bases for "visionary" individuals. In addition, can donors and other outsiders help nurture "visionary" leaders who will promote rather than hinder growth and development? Apart from withholding support from, and even active opposition to, corrupt incumbents, many options exist for helping the former implement reforms. Assisting them to gain power, while a desirable goal, is more problematic.
reveal if this endeavor succeeds. 10 What we do know already, however, is that donor support is o... more reveal if this endeavor succeeds. 10 What we do know already, however, is that donor support is only one of numerous factors that will be required. 11 This paper has a framework that helps identify the positive and negative factors influencing progress towards UPE. It does this by highlighting how human capacity is generated and used. The paper is arranged as follows. Section two discusses the contribution of primary education to economic development, and the changes needed within the education system and the broader economy and society that enable primary education to expand. Section three examines the factors, both within and outside the education system, that contribute to the generation and use of human capacity. Section four presents a framework for analyzing these factors. Among other things, it shows that EFA-FTI is a potentially useful but narrow means of expanding primary education. Section five uses the indicators to illustrate the different paths along which developing countries can move towards UPE. For many poor countries, the most obvious path of directly expanding primary education may not be the most rapid, or enduring, way forward. Section six has concluding observations and suggestions for further research. BACKGROUND Public policies that promote economic development require action on two fronts. One set of activities is needed to generate income, improve access, enhance welfare, and redress inequities. These are the direct goals of public policy. Examples include improved agricultural technology, training teachers, removing barriers to learning opportunities, supplying rural health clinics with medicine, connecting squatter housing to sanitation services, and providing food relief. A second set of activities is required to support and sustain the first set. 12 Examples are rural road construction, training the trainers of teachers, subsidizing families whose children face high education risks, establishing inventory management, control, and auditing systems, staffing and funding public works departments, and engaging NGOs and civil society to strengthen food marketing and distribution networks.
The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author and not necessarily of the af... more The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author and not necessarily of the affiliated institutions. C itiA rts Public A rt and U
The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author(s) and not necessarily of the... more The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author(s) and not necessarily of the affiliated institutions. C itiA rts Public A rt and U
The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author(s) and not necessarily of the... more The views and interpretations in this paper are those of the author(s) and not necessarily of the affiliated institutions. Equity and Growth through Economic Research EAGER supports economic and social science policy analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary goal is to increase the availability and the use of policy analysis by both public and private sector decision-makers. In addition to the goal of achieving policy reform, EAGER seeks to improve the capacity of African researchers and research organizations to contribute to policy debates in their countries. In support of this goal, EAGER sponsors collaboration among American and African researchers and research organizations. EAGER is implemented through two cooperative agreements and a communications logistics contract financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Strategic Analysis Division, The Office of Sustainable Development, Bureau for Africa. A consortium led by the Harvard Institute for I...
Economic Development and Cultural Change, 2001
EAGER supports economic and social science policy analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary goa... more EAGER supports economic and social science policy analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary goal is to increase the availability and the use of policy analysis by both public and private sector decision-makers. In addition to the goal of achieving policy reform, EAGER seeks to improve the capacity of African researchers and research organizations to contribute to policy debates in their countries. In support of this goal, EAGER sponsors collaboration among American and African researchers and research organizations. EAGER is implemented through two cooperative agreements and a communications logistics contract financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Strategic Analysis Division, The Office of Sustainable Development, Bureau for Africa. A consortium led by the Harvard Institute for International Development (HIID) holds the cooperative agreement for Public Strategies for Growth and Equity. Associates for International Resources and Development (AIRD) leads the group that holds the cooperative agreement for Trade Regimes and Growth. The Communications Logistics Contract (CLC) is held by a consortium led by BHM International, Inc. (BHM). Other capacity-building support provides for policy analysis by African institutions including the African Economic Research Consortium, Réseau sur Les Politiques Industrielles (Network on Industrial Policy), Programme Troisième Cycle Interuniversitaire en Economie, and the International Center for Economic Growth. Clients for EAGER research activities include African governments and private organizations, USAID country missions and USAID/Washington, and other donors.
EAGER supports economic and social science policy analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary goa... more EAGER supports economic and social science policy analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary goal is to increase the availability and the use of policy analysis by both public and private sector decision-makers. In addition to the goal of achieving policy reform, EAGER seeks to improve the capacity of African researchers and research organizations to contribute to policy debates in their countries. In support of this goal, EAGER sponsors collaboration among American and African researchers and research organizations. EAGER is implemented through two cooperative agreements and a communications logistics contract financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Strategic Analysis Division, The Office of Sustainable Development, Bureau for Africa. A consortium led by the Harvard Institute for International Development (HIID) holds the cooperative agreement for Public Strategies for Growth and Equity. Associates for International Resources and Development (AIRD) leads the group that holds the cooperative agreement for Trade Regimes and Growth. The Communications Logistics Contract (CLC) is held by a consortium led by BHM International, Inc. (BHM). Other capacity-building support provides for policy analysis by African institutions including the African Economic Research Consortium, Réseau sur Les Politiques Industrielles (Network on Industrial Policy), Programme Troisième Cycle Interuniversitaire en Economie, and the International Center for Economic Growth. Clients for EAGER research activities include African governments and private organizations, USAID country missions and USAID/Washington, and other donors.
SAIS Review, 1998
SAIS Review Copyright © 1998 The Johns Hopkins University Press. All rights reserved. SAIS Review... more SAIS Review Copyright © 1998 The Johns Hopkins University Press. All rights reserved. SAIS Review 18.2 (1998) 153-167, ...
This paper describes the capacity building efforts undertaken as part of the Macroeconomic Techni... more This paper describes the capacity building efforts undertaken as part of the Macroeconomic Technical Assistance Project (METAP) in Zambia. It begins by examining the background to capacity building in Zambia. It then discusses the circumstances within the ministry of finance where the efforts of METAP staff were concentrated. In terms of numbers trained, procedures modified, and organizational changes made, the activities under METAP had a major impact on the ministry. Whether the effort will be sustained is debatable. This, however, is more directly related to the ambivalence of the government of Zambia to the whole process of economic reform rather than general deficiencies in the approach to capacity building adopted under METAP. In broad terms, the Zambian situation reconfirms that technical assistance will continue having a small impact on growth and development so long as governments remain unwilling to vigorously promote economic and social reform.
This paper examines productivity growth in two resource dependent countries – Indonesia and Ghana... more This paper examines productivity growth in two resource dependent countries – Indonesia and Ghana – over the last three decades. We explicitly distinguish between resource abundant and resource dependent countries. Both have large physical and economic supplies of natural resources, but they differ significantly in how they use their resources for economic and social development.
This paper examines the relationship between foreign aid and poverty reduction using cross-sectio... more This paper examines the relationship between foreign aid and poverty reduction using cross-sectional and panel data. We disaggregate foreign aid and use several of poverty indexes. We show that while real per capita income has the robust and highly significant impact on poverty reduction, aid has no significant effect. A simulation based on our results show that Sub-Saharan Africa is seriously off track to achieve MDG of halving poverty by 2015.
Center for Business and Government-Harvard University. Dr McPherson has more than 20 years of res... more Center for Business and Government-Harvard University. Dr McPherson has more than 20 years of research experience in African economic development and financial institutions. He has consulted for economic ministries in Zambia, Mozambique, Ethiopia, The Gambia, as well as national and global agencies like The World Bank and USAID. His publications include several books and numerous chapters and articles on macroeconomic management, agricultural development, and financial reform. He has taught in workshops around the world and at Harvard. The common thread in his work, though, is the way in which capacity building-whether through human capital, infrastructure, networks or institutions-affects macroeconomic development. Co-Chair of a trans-pacific dialogue Creating a Productive Future: Social and Economic Challenges, Policy and Governance. He has designed and delivered capacity building workshops in Asia and Australia, and he has also held visiting researcher affiliations at the
International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior, 2002
World Development, 1982
We examine agricultural and social indicators of the tropical American steep slopes. For the whol... more 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.
Journal of Macromarketing, 2011
Land policy is crucial to Vietnam’s socioeconomic development. Yet, land policy in Vietnam often ... more Land policy is crucial to Vietnam’s socioeconomic development. Yet, land policy in Vietnam often is short-sighted, resulting in inequities and a form of commons tragedy. In this essay, the author reviews the evolving land policy in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, pointing out inconsistencies and shortcomings. The essay concludes with recommendations to improve policy and the long-term well-being of Vietnam and its people; specifically, several events should occur for Vietnam to achieve middle-income status by 2020, as the government of Vietnam intends. Rapid industrialization and modernization should continue; land currently used for agriculture (particularly rice) need to be converted to industrial parks; residential areas, and infrastructure; and all land should be used in ways that yields the highest social returns. Public investment should help boost agricultural (and land) productivity; and environmental (and land) management should ensure that the institutions and incentive...
Journal of Development Studies, 1986
Shapiro's [7953] critique of Schultz's' efficient but poor hypothesis' in thi... more Shapiro's [7953] critique of Schultz's' efficient but poor hypothesis' in this Journal, while not the first [cf. Lipton, 1968], is a welcome contribution to the literature. Development specialists now generally believe farmers are efficient, accepting the view that agricultural output ...
Journal of Development Economics, 1978
Economic Development and Cultural Change, 2001
In 1997 the World Bank's two vice-presidents for Sub-Saharan Africa attributed a significant impr... more In 1997 the World Bank's two vice-presidents for Sub-Saharan Africa attributed a significant improvement in Africa's growth prospects to the advent of a new generation of leaders, replacing their "once largely statist and corrupt" predecessors. This paper begins by tracing the evolution of African chief executives over the past two decades. Of 48 holding office on 1 st January 1999, 22 were in power a decade earlier and eight already ten years before that. Examination of ten countries, with focus on Kenya and Zambia, raises the question: why, after these incumbents had presided over economic catastrophe, were socio-political structures unable to replace them with better leaders? A review of leading treatments of the political economy of economic reform highlights the dichotomy between interest-group analysis, versus studies that accord a major role to the unpredictable advent of individuals with qualities that, by promoting policy reform, help launch their countries onto paths of rapid growth. Given the multitude of problems facing most African countries, even leaders of extraordinary ability and "vision" would find it difficult to guide them rapidly through the required reforms. However, a few concrete steps on the leadership's part to raise agricultural production and promote export of labor-intensive manufactures would greatly increase the prospects for accelerated growth. The paper challenges other social scientists to tell us more about how African social structures can create power bases for "visionary" individuals. In addition, can donors and other outsiders help nurture "visionary" leaders who will promote rather than hinder growth and development? Apart from withholding support from, and even active opposition to, corrupt incumbents, many options exist for helping the former implement reforms. Assisting them to gain power, while a desirable goal, is more problematic.