Naren Prasad

This article tries to understand today’s debates on PSP in water supply from a historical perspective. It presents the history of PSP in the water supply. It then presents the current situation of the water debate and explains how it is shaped by international organisations. In the final section the article argues why PSP debate should be re-thought, not in terms of private versus public put within a general reform context.

This article investigates the link between social security spending and financial crises. In doing so, the article answers two questions: what are the trends in social security spending in the aftermath of a financial crisis, and what factors can possibly explain these changes? The article shows that social security regimes have often been born out of crisis. In addition, on average, social security spending increases over the course of a crisis; however, there is wide regional variation, with advanced countries exhibiting the most countercyclical spending. This article lends support to the idea that crises can be used as an occasion to improve and strengthen social security; in doing so, countries not only mitigate the worst effects of the crisis, but also create better social policy and improve long-term crisis preparedness.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the social development situation in the Pacific Island countries (PICs). It also aims to present the various social and economic policies that are directly linked to improving social indicators. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on the theoretical framework provided by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, which defines social policy as involving redistribution, production, reproduction and protection. The paper presents data on these four components. Findings – The paper shows that many PICs have managed to increase some of their social development indicators especially those relating to education. Yet they are also lagging behind on many fronts, such as health, water and sanitation, social protection, and inequality. Research limitations/implications – Issues of state capacity and governance linked to policy formulation and implementation are not addressed in this paper. More in-depth and empirical research could be undertaken to investigate the link between economic growth and social development. Originality/value – This paper has the merit of being able to synthesize social and economic data for the PICs and compare it with other small island economies.

Contrary to widely held belief, small island countries have many lessons to offer to other countries and the world community in terms of their development strategies. This article provides evidence that small island countries are experts at breaking and distorting global trade rules without being noticed or provoking retaliatory actions. Rather than invest in productive activities to finance imports, small islands prefer to be rent-seekers. The importance of being unimportant has allowed many small economies to pursue distinctively national policies seeking favorable deals which concede special advantages. Seen from the small economies' perspectives, globalization is not homogeneous, uniform or equal, but rather pluralistic, messy and often richly asymmetrical, consisting of derogations, exceptions, and special arrangements.