The Political Economy of Aid in Palestine
The Political Economy of Aid in Palestine

Author: Sahar Taghdisi-Rad

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2010-10-04

Total Pages: 354

ISBN-13: 113691840X

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Despite for many years receiving the highest per capita aid worldwide, the economies of the West Bank and Gaza Strip have failed to achieve any lasting developmental outcomes and suffer from major weaknesses which undermine their very survival. This book argues that the dominant, mainstream approach to the study of aid and aid effectiveness is theoretically and empirically inadequate for a comprehensive understanding and analysis of the workings of aid in developing countries, particularly those undergoing conflict. This book examines the nature of donor operations in Palestine, highlighting the political and ideological determinants of aid allocation and effectiveness, and focussing on the role of trade-related donor assistance in Palestine, more commonly known as Aid for Trade. It discusses how such trade-related assistance is only another instance of donors working ‘around’ the conflict, as opposed to taking it into account; and how aid to Palestine cannot bring about significant improvement as long as the Palestinian economy is fundamentally affected by Israeli occupation, settlements and blockade. It argues that unless restructured and more carefully targeted, aid can only act as a temporary relief mechanism. Furthermore, the book sheds light on critical areas within Palestinian territories that are in need of development and require significant and immediate attention at both national and international level.

Funding and the Quest for Sovereignty in Palestine
Funding and the Quest for Sovereignty in Palestine

Author: Anas Iqtait

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2022-11-14

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13: 3031194780

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This book explores the political economy of governance in Palestine. It makes a unique contribution to studies of governance and political economy using the Palestinian Authority (PA) as a case study, introducing and developing the concept of ‘dual rentierism’. The author uses primary research to chart the evolution of the fiscal sociology of the PA and explore how it has shaped the PA’s economic policies and the state–society relationship in the Palestinian Territories. The book adopts a critical political economy approach, making the case that external sources of PA income represent political rents that need to be disaggregated and studied concurrently. It further focuses on the drivers and constraints that have shaped the PA’s policy development and state-building associated with its dependence on external revenues. Ultimately, the book elaborates on how the need for fiscal survivability has thwarted the Palestinian quest for statehood.

Political Economy of Palestine
Political Economy of Palestine

Author: Alaa Tartir

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021-05-18

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 3030686434

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This book explores the political economy of Palestine through critical, interdisciplinary, and decolonial perspectives, underscoring that an approach to economics that does not consider the political—a de-politicized economics—is inadequate to understanding the situation in occupied Palestine. A critical interdisciplinary approach to political economy challenges prevailing neoliberal logics and structures that reproduce racial capitalism, and explores how the political economy of occupied Palestine is shaped by processes of accumulation by exploitation and dispossession from both Israel and global business, as well as from Palestinian elites. A decolonial approach to Palestinian political economy foregrounds struggles against neoliberal and settler colonial policies and institutions, and aids in the de-fragmentation of Palestinian life, land, and political economy that the Oslo Accords perpetuated, but whose histories of de-development over all of Palestine can be traced back for over a century. The chapters in this book offer an in-depth contextualization of the Palestinian political economy, analyze the political economy of integration, fragmentation, and inequality, and explore and problematize multiple sectors and themes of political economy in the absence of sovereignty.

West Bank and Gaza
West Bank and Gaza

Author: International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2023-09-13

Total Pages: 28

ISBN-13:

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Years of isolation and continuous conflicts have left Gaza’s economic development far behind that of the West Bank. In 2022, per capita income in Gaza was only a quarter of that in the West Bank, and unemployment and poverty rates were much higher. This reflects much lower employment and investment rates as well as considerably lower productivity growth. While Israeli-imposed restrictions on access and movement of labor and goods severely hinder trade outcomes and productive capacity in both West Bank and Gaza, restrictions are far more severe for Gaza. As a result of this Gaza blockade and repeated wars with Israel since 2008, the capital stock is stagnant, and infrastructure is derelict (especially electricity). Analytical work suggests sizeable economic gains from boosting Gaza’s electricity infrastructure. Prospects for declining donor aid risk worsening Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Under these conditions, Gaza is unlikely to meet the U.N. 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. A major easing of the blockade and financing constraints is necessary to improve prospects, provided the security situation can be assured in parallel.

Myanmar’s Resistance and the Future of Border Trade: Challenges and Opportunities
Myanmar’s Resistance and the Future of Border Trade: Challenges and Opportunities

Author: Jared Bissinger

Publisher: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

Published: 2024-05-09

Total Pages: 29

ISBN-13: 9815203541

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Since the start of Operation 1027, Myanmar’s resistance groups have gained control over large parts of key overland trade routes and a number of important border crossings, fundamentally changing the realities in the control of border trade. Despite these losses, the State Administration Council (SAC) retains control-of-trade-related institutions that are vital for accessing an international trading system characterized by state-to-state interactions—giving them significant influence over trade even if they do not control trade routes and border crossings. International precedents from territories such as Palestine, Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia show that non-state actors face significant challenges engaging in trade, and are vulnerable to frequent changes in trading arrangements. Perhaps the most important factor shaping trade in these territories is the state of their relationship with either the state of which they are nominally a part, or a neighbouring state. Thailand allows small-scale trade and limited movement of people through “checkpoints for border trade”, which exist outside the formal system and are unilaterally established by Thailand. These checkpoints represent an alternative opportunity to reshape border trade. If Myanmar’s resistance hopes to transform trade from a revenue source to a meaningful strength, their prospects are best if they collaborate and develop a status-neutral plan (e.g., not requiring diplomatic recognition nor denying recognition to the SAC) for trading arrangements with neighbours, and enhance dialogue with them about this plan.

Development Under Adversity
Development Under Adversity

Author: Ishac Diwan

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 1999-01-01

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 9780821344187

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"War, border closures, violence, and unemployment have hampered the Palestinian economy for over a decade. Despite these obstacles and setbacks, the future outlook is optimistic." Based on the research of the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS), the World Bank, and other organizations, 'Development Under Adversity' reviews the development of the Palestinian economy since the 1993 Declaration of Principles. The Palestinian economy has enormous potential. Its general development indicators, including life expectancy, literacy, and child mortality rates, are among the best in the Middle East and North Africa. The book identifies the conditions under which the Palestinian economy can grow. They include trade channels that reduce the economy's reliance on Israel; the creation of a more efficient civil service; more investment-oriented public expenditure; and more resourceful support from NGOs in the delivery of health, education, welfare, and infrastructure services. 'Development Under Adversity' provides historical background, an objective examination of recent economic and political developments, and a comprehensive analysis of the contribution that the donor community can make toward alleviating poverty. Throughout its analysis, the book focuses on the human consequences of economic uncertainty. It studies the social and household costs of border closures, and includes complete chapters about the education and health sectors. The result is a book that will be relevant to a wide range of institutional and private lenders, as well as to anyone with a general interest in the well-being and future of the Palestinian economy.

Economic and Trade Policies in the Arab World
Economic and Trade Policies in the Arab World

Author: Mahmoud A.T. Elkhafif

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2012-05-04

Total Pages: 370

ISBN-13: 1136324267

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The Arab Spring and recent popular uprisings that have taken place in many Arab countries since the end of 2010 highlight the urgent need for economic policy reorientation in these countries. This book addresses key issues relevant to the contemporary economic realities of the Arab economies; including policy space, generation of more productive and decent employment, social justice and poverty alleviation, regional integration and the common destiny of the Arab people, and the failure of the structural adjustment programs recommended by the Bretton Woods institutions and implemented in these countries in the last three decades. The volume explores, and makes recommendations, for deep pan Arab regional integration and alternative pro-poor, growth-oriented economic and trade policies capable of promoting social justice by reducing the incidence of poverty. It highlights the ways in which various types of economic and trade policies have affected the levels of employment and poverty in five Arab countries: Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the occupied Palestinian territory and Sudan. Using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the book focuses on Arab trade integration, exploring the obstacles to its implementation in the past, as well as its potentials as a source of employment generation and enhancement of living conditions. The book also addresses the construction, interpretation and use of quantitative trade indicators for optimal policy choice at both the domestic and regional levels.

Unlocking Opportunities Business Development in the MENA Region
Unlocking Opportunities Business Development in the MENA Region

Author: Ibrahim Diab

Publisher: Ibrahim Diab

Published: 2024-03-22

Total Pages: 491

ISBN-13:

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Unlock the potential of the dynamic MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region with "Unlocking Opportunities: Business Development in the MENA Region." This comprehensive guide offers invaluable insights and strategies for entrepreneurs, executives, and businesses seeking to thrive in one of the world's most promising markets. In "Unlocking Opportunities," readers embark on a journey through ten essential chapters, each meticulously crafted to provide a deeper understanding of the MENA region's intricacies and opportunities. Begin your exploration with Chapter 1, where you'll gain a foundational understanding of the MENA region, its diverse cultures, economies, and business landscapes. Chapter 2 delves into the opportunities awaiting savvy entrepreneurs, alongside the challenges they must navigate to succeed. Chapter 3 offers actionable strategies for success, drawing on real-world experiences and expert insights. Learn from the triumphs and trials of established businesses in Chapter 4 through compelling case studies that illuminate key principles and practices. Stay ahead of emerging trends and seize new opportunities with Chapter 5, which forecasts the region's trajectory and identifies areas primed for growth. Navigate the regulatory landscape and legal considerations in Chapter 6 to ensure compliance and mitigate risks effectively. Cultural sensitivity is paramount in the MENA region, as explored in Chapter 7, where readers discover strategies for building trust and fostering fruitful relationships. Forge strategic partnerships and expand your networks with Chapter 8's guidance on collaboration and connectivity. Mitigate risks and enhance resilience with Chapter 9's insights into effective risk management practices. Finally, peer into the future and glean actionable recommendations in Chapter 10, shaping your long-term strategy and positioning your business for sustained success. Concluding with a thoughtful reflection in the Conclusion, "Unlocking Opportunities" empowers readers to navigate the complexities of the MENA region with confidence, insight, and foresight. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or embarking on your first venture, this book is your indispensable companion to unlocking the boundless potential of the MENA market.

Aid for Trade at a Glance 2019 Economic Diversification and Empowerment
Aid for Trade at a Glance 2019 Economic Diversification and Empowerment

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2019-07-11

Total Pages: 532

ISBN-13: 9264429514

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This edition analyses how trade can contribute to economic diversification and empowerment, with a focus on eliminating extreme poverty, particularly through the effective participation of women and youth. It shows how aid for trade can contribute to that objective by addressing supply-side capacity and trade-related infrastructure constraints, including for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises notably in rural areas.