Debt Relief for Poor Countries

TONY ADDISON is Deputy Director of the World Institute for Development Economics Research Institute (UNU-WIDER) in Helsinki, Finland, and was previously on the economic faculty of the University of Warwick, UK. HENRIK HANSEN is Associate Professor, Institute of Economics at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. FINN TARP is Professor of Development Economics at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Co-ordinator of the Copenhagen-based Development Economics Research Group (DERG).

'It seems that with each new book it issues, UNU-WIDER further establishes its reputation as the intellectual leader among international organisations. This volume on debt is particularly outstanding. The chapters by the editors and their co-authors are quite impressive. The book should be read both by the novice and specialist.' - John Weeks, Professor of Development Economics, SOAS, University of London, UK 'The international financial institutions agreed to debt relief for the poorest countries, under pressure from the countries themselves and a vigorous NGO campaign. This extremely useful book provides in-depth analysis of the results of the debt relief contained in HIPC: they are positive, but small. Unfortunately, as the book demonstrates, HIPC debt relief will not provide the solution to the development problems of most poor countries.' - Frances Stewart, Director, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford, UK 'Can debt relief be a powerful tool for advancing human rights, helping to save literally millions of lives, and for laying the foundations for economic growth, as its proponents often claim? In this pioneering volume, a group of economists challenge some of these unquestioned assumptions. Using empirical evidence, they concluded that: it is difficult to measure accurately the effect of debt relief on economic growth and poverty reduction; that the degree to which debt relief can contribute to poverty reduction largely depends on the existence of hospitable domestic and international policy environment; and that the quality of national institutions determine the effectiveness of debt relief on the ground. These are important and timely contributions that will deepen the debate on debt relief and poverty reduction.' - Fantu Cheru, Professor, School of International Service, American University, USA '...the papers collected in this volume represent a very welcome addition to the literature.' - Andrew Mold - Journal of International Development

• PART I: EVALUATING DEBT RELIEF Introduction; T.Addison, H.Hansen & F.Tarp Debt Dynamics and Contingency Financing: Theoretical Reappraisal of the HIPC Initiative; M.Nissanke & B.Ferrarini Policy Selectivity Forgone: Debt and Donor Behaviour in Africa; N.Birdsall, S.Claessens & I.Diwan HIPC Debt Relief and Policy Reform Incentives; J-C.Berthélemy Resolving the HIPC Problem: Is Good Policy Enough? T.Addison & A.Rahman PART II: GROWTH EFFECTS OF DEBT RELIEF External Debt and Growth: Implications for HIPC Countries; C.Pattillo, H.Poirson & L.A.Ricci The Impact of External Aid and External Debt on Growth and Investment; H.Hansen External Debt, Growth and the HIPC Initiative: Is the Country Choice Too Narrow?; A.R.Chowdhury Debt Relief and Growth: A Study of Zambia and Tanzania; A.Bigsten, J.Levin & H.Persson PART III: POVERTY EFFECTS OF DEBT RELIEF Public Spending and Poverty in Mozambique; R.Heltberg, K.Simler & F.Tarp Debt Relief, Demand for Education, and Poverty; E.Dabla-Norris, J.M.Matovu & P.Wade Making Debt Relief Conditionality Pro-Poor; O.Morrissey