Gary McMahon - Böcker

Fiscal Reform and Structural Change in Developing Countries analyzes the experience of countries involved in major tax reforms in the 1980s and first half of the 1990s by a combination of qualitative and quantitative country studies and over-arching thematic studies. The emphasis is on the role of fiscal reform in stabilization and structural change, as well as the effects that policy for stabilization and, especially, structural change can have on the fiscal deficit under different types of tax systems. The authors then analyze the reasons for the convergence of tax systems around the developing world.

Fiscal Reform and Structural Change in Developing Countries analyzes the experience of countries involved in major tax reforms in the 1980s and first half of the 1990s by a combination of qualitative and quantitative country studies and over-arching thematic studies. The emphasis is on the role of fiscal reform in stabilization and structural change, as well as the effects that policy for stabilization and, especially, structural change can have on the fiscal deficit under different types of tax systems. The authors then analyze the reasons for the convergence of tax systems around the developing world.

In the 1980s a large number of Latin American countries reverted from military dictatorships to civilian democracies. In most cases the new democratic governments inherited an extremely precarious economic situation, which left little room to manoeuvre. This book analyzes the special problems that governments face in the formulation and implementation of economic policy after the restoration of democracy. In each of six cases - Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay - an analysis is made of the difficulties encountered and the performance of the democratic governments.

Africa needs power - to grow its economies and enhance the welfare of its people. Power for all is still a long distance away – two thirds of the population remains without electricity and enterprises rank electricity as a top constraint to doing business. This sub-optimal situation coexists while vast energy resources remain untapped. One solution to harness these resources could be to tap into the concept of anchor load. Mining industry lends itself to the concept of anchor load as it needs power in large quantity and reliable quality to run its processes. Underpinned by a comprehensive database of mining projects between 2000 and 2020, this report explores the potential and challenges of using mining demand for power as anchor load for national power system development and expansion of electrification. This report finds that mining demand can indeed be a game-changer – an opportunity where policymakers and international community can make a difference in tapping the enormous mineral wealth of Africa for the benefit of so many people. The utilities would benefit from having mining companies as creditworthy consumers that facilitate generation and transmission investments producing economies of scale needed for large infrastructure projects, benefiting all consumers in the system. The mines would benefit from grid supply—typically priced much lower than self-supply—which allows them to focus on their core business, greatly enhancing their competitiveness. The country would benefit from more exports and tax revenues from mines, more job opportunities in local firms selling goods and services to the mines, and a higher GDP. The report estimates that mining demand for power can triple since 2000 going upto 23 GW in 2030. While South Africa will continue to be the dominant presence in mining landscape, its importance will reduce and other countries, primarily in Southern African region, will emerge as important contributers of mining demand for power. Simulations in countries with minimal power-mining interface suggests that bringing this demand explicitly into the power planning process can ensure more investments in both grid and off-grid power systems and potentially superior service delivery outcomes for mines as well as communities. These opportunities can also be attractive investment destinations for private sector. However, there are also risks and institutional roadblocks in power-mining integration – addressing many of them and employing risk mitigation mechanism are within the control of policymakers.

The mining industry could play a key role in Africa's energy sector, since it requires power in large quantity and reliable quality to run its processes. The integration of mining with power system development, with appropriate risk mitigation mechanisms, could bring a win-win solution to utilities, mines, and people at large.

Economists have long relied on cross-country regression analysis to identify the determinants of continued growth, but with only limited success. This book demonstrates the value of a different approach.The editors isolate three attributes that appear to be associated with long-term growth. First, whatever the form of the decision-making authority, all are ultimately subject to an element of political constraint: the population at large must eventually experience the benefits of growth if the authority is to remain in power. Broad-based growth is therefore required for growth to be sustained. Second, given the complexity and dynamism of the world, and our imperfect understanding of how it works, ideological rigidity will inevitably prove disastrous, whereas pragmatism and responsiveness to changing conditions and to ineffective policy initiatives are more likely to prolong growth. Third, unconventional substitutes can fill critical gaps while more formal institutions are being developed, thus hastening the growth process in the short run. Drawing on the knowledge and understanding of local circumstances of researchers from the case-study countries, this book will appeal to post-graduate students studying development; particularly poverty, trade, investment and migration. Development practitioners concerned with the impact of developed-country policies on poverty in the developing world will also find this a captivating read.