Political feasibility of structural adjustment in Africa: An application of SAM mixed multipliers

Karl M. Rich, Alex E Winter-Nelson, Gerald C. Nelson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2105-2114
Number of pages10
JournalWorld Development
Volume25
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 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

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