Abstract
The implementation of structural adjustment programs (SAPs) has often been undermined by opposition from politically powerful groups who are favored by existing policies. To assess the political sustainability of SAPs this paper uses social accounting matrices for three African countries to model the income effects of stylized SAPs on different socioeconomic groups. The analysis reveals wide variation in the likelihood for typical SAPs to be acceptable to political elites while generating growth in the rest of the economy. The presence of a rural elite or strong farm-nonfarm linkages can enhance the political sustainability of SAPs.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2105-2114 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | World Development |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1997 |
Keywords
- Africa
- Cameroon
- SAM
- Structural adjustment
- The Gambia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geography, Planning and Development
- Development
- Sociology and Political Science
- Economics and Econometrics