Reviews the liberalization experience of Bolivia and Chile during the 1990s and argues that the IMF structural reform policy package had serious shortcomings.

Covers the period from 1980s to end of 1990s.

Concentrates on sub-Saharan Africa and more particularly on its large majority of poor people working in the informal economy. Examines the evidence that supports the commonly accepted hypothesis that social health protection contributes to poverty reduction and economic growth.