Susan Randolph

Can the Kuznets effect be relied on to induce equalizing growth

Abstract The use of internationally comparable income data to test Kuznets inverted-U hypothesis introduces several econometric problems. This study (a) explains and corrects for these econometric problems, (b) assesses the sensitivity of estimated results to alternative functional specifications and sample variations, (c) provides a more rigorous test for structural change between more and less-developed countries in the phasing of the inequality trend, and (d) estimates the time likely to elapse before various of the developing countries reach the turning point. The studys findings offer broad support for Kuznetss hypothesis, but do not support the advocacy of development policies focused exclusively on growth. For low-income countries, growths equalizing phase cannot be anticipated to set in for half a century.

An Index of Economic and Social Rights Fulfillment: Concept and Methodology

In response to an increasing demand for rigorous monitoring of states in meeting their human rights obligations, a growing literature has emerged on measuring human rights fulfillment. Data are increasingly used in human rights assessment and advocacy but with an ad hoc approach, with three common limitations: frequent use of subjective indicators; focus on the right bearer enjoyment of right without taking account of duty bearer conduct; and event or country specific analysis that does not allow comparisons over time or space. This paper explores a methodology for measuring economic and social rights fulfillment that is reliable and authoritative. It proposes a composite index that: uses available survey-based objective, rather than subjective, data; focuses on state obligations rather than solely on individual enjoyment of rights; and captures progressive realization of human rights subject to maximum available resources. Two calculation methods are proposed: the ratio approach and the achievement possibilities frontier approach. The paper identifies key conceptual and data constraints. Recognizing the complex methodological challenges, the aim of this paper is not to resolve all the difficulties, but rather to contribute to the process of building rigorous approaches to human rights measurement. The proposed index provides important new information compared with other measures of economic and social rights fulfillment; although it still does not fully capture some desired features such as the right to nondiscrimination and equality, and the right to social security. The paper also outlines an agenda for longer term research and data collection that would make more complete measurement possible.

Economic and Social Rights Fulfillment Index: Country Scores and Rankings

Building on a previously proposed methodology for an index of economic and social rights fulfillment, this article presents country scores and rankings based on the Economic and Social Rights Fulfillment Index (ESRF Index). Unlike socioeconomic indicators, which are often used as proxies for the extent to which rights-holders enjoy economic and social rights, the ESRF Index incorporates the perspective of the duty-bearer as well as the rights-holder and takes into account the principle of progressive realization. The resulting scores and rankings provide important new information that complements other measures of economic and social rights fulfillment. The ESRF Index is an important conceptual and methodological breakthrough; although it still does not capture all key human rights principles, such as the rights to participation, nondiscrimination, and equality. The article also analyzes the results of the global ranking and outlines some priorities for further research.

Relative earnings mobility in a third world country

Abstract This paper presents results from the first study to examine the extent and character of relative earnings mobility in a Third World country. It also tests the hypothesis that one year accounting periods overstate inequality differences between developed countries and less developed countries that are growing rapidly. In Malaysia, the country selected for the initial test of this hypothesis, men experience considerable relative earnings mobility. Seventy four percent of the sample moved one decile or more during the period examined; this mobility is predominantly permanent in nature. Both the extent and permanence of mobility found for Malaysia exceed levels found in comparable studies of the United States. Extending the accounting period from one to 10 years reduces measured inequality by 12%. These results support the hypothesis that single year measures of inequality overstate differences in inequality levels between developed and less developed countries.

Structural adjustment and family policy in Africa: Lessons from Sudan

The economic strategy pursued by a country profoundly influences the well-being of families. This article uses a social accounting model of the Sudanese economy to compare the effects of two alternative development strategies on growth, employment, and income distribution. The first strategy considered is a conventional growth-oriented strategy emphasizing irrigated, export-oriented agriculture and modern, capital-intensive industry; the second one is a traditional agriculture-led development (TALD) strategy focused on enhancing equity and improving family nutrition by expanding food production. The studys findings for Sudan demonstrate that there is no necessary trade-off between growth and equity. The TALD strategy fosters income growth for the most vulnerable families while simultaneously maximizing aggregate growth. It also holds the prospect of enhancing family equity and increasing access to traditional institutions that provide support to families.

Does constitutionalizing economic and social rights promote their fulfillment

ABSTRACT This article explores whether constitutional provisions promote fulfillment of economic and social rights. This is accomplished by combining unique data on both enforceable law and directive principles with the Social and Economic Rights Fulfillment Index (SERF Index), which measures government fulfillment of such rights. The results indicate that there is a positive and significant correlation between enforceable law provisions and the right to health and education components of the SERF Index. The strongest relationship appears to be for the right to health component where the inclusion of an enforceable law provision on economic and social rights in the constitution is correlated with an increase in the health component by 9.55, or 13.0%, on average. These results support the idea that constitutional provisions may be one way to improve economic and social rights outcomes.

The State of Economic and Social Human Rights: The Right to Food: A Global Perspective

Introduction Global per capita food production has risen to unprecedented levels, yet the number of hungry people has increased. Hunger remains a pervasive reality in the world today: 925 million of the worlds nearly 7 billion people are undernourished, an increase of more than 135 million hungry people since 1995, according to the United Nations (UN) Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2010; FAO, Hunger Statistics). Today, someone in the world is dying of hunger or its complications every several minutes of every day (FAO 2010). Yet there are adequate food stocks available to feed the worlds population (Paarlberg 2010), and the right to food is recognized formally under international law as well as informally by popular demand as a fundamental human right. Indeed, realization of the right to food is essential to the fulfillment of other human rights. The right to life and the right to health are inextricably linked to the right to food. Hunger and undernourishment directly or indirectly account for more than half of the deaths in the world according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (2000). Malnutrition turns common childhood diseases into killers; roughly half of the deaths due to diarrhea, malaria, pneumonia, and measles can be attributed to malnutrition (Black, Morris, and Bryce 2003; Bryce et al. 2005). Enjoyment of the right to food is contingent, in turn, upon the realization of the right to education and the right to work. Malnutrition impedes learning and psychosocial development (Pridmore 2007; Alaimo, Olson, and Frangillo 2001). Poor health and low education and skill development limit access to decent work that provides incomes above the poverty level.

Measuring the Progressive Realization of Economic and Social Human Rights in Brazil: A Disaggregated Economic and Social Rights Fulfillment Index

This paper summarizes findings and conclusions from our application of the Economic and Social Rights Fulfillment Index developed by Fukuda-Parr, Lawson-Remer and Randolph (2009) to the states of Brazil. The key features of this methodology in assessing economic and human rights fulfillment is the focus on state obligations rather than only on human outcomes, and reference to both level of state resources and the historic achievements of comparator state parties as criteria in assessment. Our results show that none of the states of Brazil are completely meeting their obligations to fulfill economic and social rights although some are far more successful than others, and that fulfillment does not depend on income. States struggle most to meet their obligations to realize the right to decent work and adequate housing, but are somewhat better and meeting their obligations to fulfill the rights to education, the highest attainable standard of health and adequate food. Furthermore, a ranking of the states based on our findings differs significantly from rankings based on GDP per capita or the state-level Human Development Index values alone. This paper summarizes our methodology and findings and also proposes several avenues for further study.

Theory into practice: A new framework and proposed assessment criteria

The theory and practice of both international development and international human rights have changed dramatically since the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Right to Development in its resolution 41/128 in 1986. On the development side, there has been an evolution and expansion of global institutions, a transformation of relevant technologies and a significantly changing natural environment. On the human rights side, global standards and institutions have expanded; the understanding and practice of economic, social and cultural rights in particular has deepened; there has been universal reaffirmation of the interconnectedness of all human rights, including the right to development; and the United Nations and other institutions have created a growing set of tools and concepts for integrating economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights into development and anti-poverty policies and processes.

Liquidity constraints, productivity, employment and output: evidence from non-agricultural activities in Bangladesh

This paper examines the role played by liquidity constraints in determining non-agricultural employment, labour productivity and output among poor, landless households. The hypothesis that the provision of credit to poor non-agricultural households on reasonable terms can greatly enhance labour use, and output, thereby reducing poverty is empirically investigated using survey data from rural landless households in Bangladesh. The studys findings indicate that even small amounts of credit on reasonable terms can substantially enhance labour use and income for poor households and that the impact is greatest for the poorest households.