Self-help groups (SHGs) are the most common form of microfinance in India. We provide evidence that SHGs, composed of women only, undertake collective actions for the provision of public goods. Using a theoretical model, we show that an elected official, whose aim is to maximise re-election...

Die Beiträge der vorliegenden Dissertationsschrift untersuchen zum einen, inwieweit Wetterindexversicherungen einen Beitrag zur Stabilisierung von wetterbedingten Einkommensschwankungen in der Landwirtschaft leisten können. In der Landwirtschaft ist trotz bedeutender wetterbedingter...

Machine generated contents note: Foreword Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Fighting Poverty 1.2 Investing in Financial Infrastructure 1.3 Content Overview Chapter 2: Microfinance - the Concept 2.1 History 2.2 Definition and Goals 2.3 Double Bottom Line 2.4...

Foreword / James K. Galbraith -- Introduction: setting the scene / Milford Bateman and Kate Maclean -- Background -- The political economy of microfinance / Milford Bateman -- Poverty reduction or the financialization of poverty? / Maren Duvendack and Philip Mader -- Seduction -- Pop development...

High transaction and contracting costs are often thought to create credit and savings market failures in developing countries. The microfinance movement grew largely out of business process innovations and subsidies that reduced these costs. We examine an alternative approach, one that infuses...