Aid can learn this from this year's Nobel laureate in economics

Development economist Karl-Anders Larsson writes in a guest analysis for Utvecklingsmagasinet about what lessons development cooperation can learn from the recipients of this year's Sveriges Riksbank prize in economic science in memory of Alfred Nobel. Collage: Canva.

Of: Karl-Anders Larsson

Has this year's Nobel laureate in economics found an answer to one of the world's biggest problems – that countries are stuck in poverty? Maybe not fully, but certainly their research should be important to everyone who deals with development issues and poverty alleviation, writes Karl-Anders Larsson, retired development economist and freelance writer. 

November 4, 2024, Guest analysis

Redirect the Resources of Oil Companies, Military Firms and Banks

Oil and military companies are two key actors both contributing to global warming. Together they have the scale of resources necessary for systemic transformation, writes Jonathan Michael Feldman, who works in the Department of Economic History and International Relations at Stockholm University. Photo: Pxhere.

Of: Jonathan Michael Feldman

Equitable global development requires that basic needs are met in communities safe from the worst effects of war global warming, pollution, poverty, and pandemics. Problems persist because we lack a systematic response - but we can gain that if oil and military firms causing problems are transformed into platforms for civilians, sustainable development through conversion and proactive investment campaigns aimed at universities and local investment actors, writes Jonathan Michael Feldman, who works in the Department of Economic History and International Relations at Stockholm University. 

June 30, 2022, English, Guest analysis

Researchers criticize planned bitcoin city in El Salvador: "It's playing with public money"

El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele wants to build a privately owned bitcoin city - something that is criticized by several researchers in the country. Photo: Presidencia El Salvador. Source: Flickr.

Of: Julia Carlzon

In El Salvador, the president is planning Watch to build "Bitcoin City ”, anda utopia with zero income tax, zero property tax - and zero carbon dioxide emissions. The project is being sold as a way to benefit the national economy and promote innovation, but who really benefits from the bold idea? And what's so great about a privately owned city?

May 25, 2022, Reportage

Are countries underdeveloped or overexploited?

The organization "Black History Walks" organizes guided tours in London, where they highlight the colonial history that has built up the city and its streets. Photo: Leandra Pedretti.

Of: Leandra Pedretti

During a guided tour with the organization Black History Walks in London's financial district, I reflect on the assumptions that exist in the language we use when discussing development issues. What do we really mean when we talk about "underdeveloped" countries? What does it mean to be underdeveloped? I find my own answers to these questions in the colonial history of England.

November 30, 2021, FUF-correspondents, Chronicle

Universal basic income for low- and high-income countries

Campaign ahead of the referendum on national basic income in Switzerland 2016 where the people voted no. Photo: Michael von der Lohe, Flickr

Of: Kevin Perera

Citizens' salaries (also called basic income) are predicted to be able to alleviate economic decline and lead to favorable outcomes. Basically, it is about society offering residents an unconditional financial security, sufficient to cover basic needs. But will basic income achieve similar effects in low- and high-income countries? And if not, what differences are there to consider? There are many indications that low-income countries may find it difficult to reform poverty reduction, from aid to a reliable welfare system, while high-income countries have a much better starting point for using basic income for their own purposes.

April 8, 2021, Analysis

Panic can cost more than the pandemic

Person wears protective clothing and toilet paper

When panic strikes a society, it is rational for the individual to protect his loved ones. But it can prove to be counterproductive, the debaters write.

Of: Anna of Owl Glass, Johan Stellansson and Olof Sandkull

When the media reports deaths as a sports result, it is easy to lose your temper and panic. But perhaps panic is more dangerous than the pandemic itself. The measures to stop the infection will lead to increased hunger, water shortages and more violence around the world, write three debaters.

April 20, 2020, Debate

Increased inequality in the world has aroused debate about Sweden's development assistance

inequality

Electrification can be the key to achieving most of the goals in Agenda 2030, according to this week's debaters, when the focus is on inequality in the world.

Of: Amanda Wibne Romild

Last week, the UN Development Program (UNDP) published a report on human development, which begins with “Inequality. Evidence is everywhere ”. This has resulted in this week's debate focusing on the causes of inequalities and demands for change in Swedish development aid policy.

December 17, 2019, Current debate

A Europe for all - not just the richest

The Left Party wants to see an EU where class divisions are fought and where skin color has no bearing on how you are treated, writes Rebar Alnazar.

Of: Rebar Alnazar

The Left Party wants to see a Europe where democracy is self-evident, where class divisions are fought, where green technology is the way forward and where your skin color should have no bearing on how you are treated. We want a Europe for everyone - not just the richest, writes Rebar Alnazar.

May 24, 2019, Debate

Our welfare should not be based on the exploitation of people and nature in other parts of the world

Photo: Håkan Dahlström, FI, WikimediaCommons

Of: Jaime Gomez et al.

Feminist initiative advocates global justice and decolonization. We must challenge today's world order where the global north uses the global south. We want international cooperation to take place with mutual respect between equal parties and for the one percent target to be met without setting off costs for refugee reception in Sweden. It writes Jaime Gomez, Mats Ekenger and Maria Persson from the Feminist Initiative.

June 13, 2018, Debate