“The idea of microfinance emerged around the 1970s as a revolutionary new way to alleviate poverty in developing countries. Microfinance delivers financial services – such as loans and saving...Show more“The idea of microfinance emerged around the 1970s as a revolutionary new way to alleviate poverty in developing countries. Microfinance delivers financial services – such as loans and saving services – to the poor, who are traditionally financially excluded from conventional financial institutions. However, the debate whether the efforts of MFIs have been successful is almost just as old as the concept itself, and the results remain ambiguous. This thesis aims to add to the extensive body of literature by providing an in-depth comparative case study of the experiences and effects of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Thailand and Indonesia. The research is focused on poverty alleviation in two key areas, (i.) household income generation and (ii.) household asset building. The hypothesis is that although MFI provides great opportunities for people in lower-income classes to access credit, it has done little to practically alleviate poverty in Thailand and Indonesia. In the final analysis, this thesis will argue that this hypothesis is false, and argues that microfinance institutions in Thailand and Indonesia have been effective in increasing household income and therefore poverty alleviation. However, the effect of microfinance on asset building is ambiguous. Therefore, the study revealed that the effect of microfinance on asset building for poor households should be further studied.” Key words: microfinance; poverty alleviation; Village Fund program; Islamic microfinance; Thailand; Indonesia.Show less
Microfinance is considered one of the most important financial tools for the inclusion of the informal sector of developing countries in global finance. However, its empirical implications on the...Show moreMicrofinance is considered one of the most important financial tools for the inclusion of the informal sector of developing countries in global finance. However, its empirical implications on the financial, economic and social level of society are often under-researched, especially in Cameroon, a developing country in West-Central Africa. Therefore, this thesis will show that the financialization of the informal economy, especially in Cameroon, undergoes three steps: firstly the financial one, in which communities living in informal economies are approached by financial institutions offering microcredit, secondly through the economic one, in which microcredit is invested in informal business activities to regulate and formalize them, and finally through the social one, in which the economic power gained through the enhanced businesses is reflected on an empowerment of under-promoted categories, and on an improvement in education and healthcare, given the increased accessibility of funds to afford them.Show less
This thesis investigates the effects of neoliberalism on labour and the social reproduction of labour. The thesis provides a literature review of the extensive literature on neoliberalism in...Show moreThis thesis investigates the effects of neoliberalism on labour and the social reproduction of labour. The thesis provides a literature review of the extensive literature on neoliberalism in general and in Egypt before providing a historical account of neoliberal reforms and their effect on the corporatist bargain between labour and the state. It then proceeds to discuss the effects of neoliberalism on informality, welfare and repression. The thesis argues that on all these fronts workers have been increasingly marginalised and forced to live in substandard conditions. Neoliberalism has caused a spike in informal employment and informal settlements. This informality results in decreased working conditions, wages and housing conditions. Another effect of the neoliberal reforms was the reduction of state provision of welfare. This vacuum was filled by private actors, often those families and individuals who benefitted from the neoliberal reforms in the first place. Labour is now dependent on private actors to provide services, which used to be a right based on citizenship. Harvey characterises neoliberal reforms as accumulation through dispossession. Lastly, the thesis claims that resistance to this dispossession has been effectively repressed through legal obstacles, Sisi-linked media narratives securitising resistance and an increased security apparatus. Overall, workers have suffered the brunt of neoliberal reform to the benefit of a select group of elites, who now attempt to form a coalition with the security forces to maintain stability, prevent another 2011 and maintain their accumulated wealth.Show less
The intention of this thesis is to research the successfulness of microfinance initiatives (MFIs) at alleviating poverty in Ghana. The correlation between poverty alleviation and microfinance has...Show moreThe intention of this thesis is to research the successfulness of microfinance initiatives (MFIs) at alleviating poverty in Ghana. The correlation between poverty alleviation and microfinance has been researched before, but all of these examinations had case-selection bias. Even though they tried to make suggestions for improvement, these suggestions did not seek for development of a fact-based risk scoring framework. Most scholars make a convincing argument that MFIs do help alleviate poverty. They are not able to provide absolute data on the level of improvement, which made it impossible to give a quantitative answer to how successful microfinance is at helping alleviate poverty. Therefore, this thesis objectively analyses the positive and negative aspects of MFIs and the possibilities to improve the functioning of MFIs by creating a framework to further alleviate poverty in Ghana.Show less
Brazil is a rising power, one of the BRIC countries, recently ranked as the 8th largest economy, thus a country ripe for analysis. Yet, Brazil is highly unequal, classified in the top 10 most...Show moreBrazil is a rising power, one of the BRIC countries, recently ranked as the 8th largest economy, thus a country ripe for analysis. Yet, Brazil is highly unequal, classified in the top 10 most unequal countries in the world, which begs the question of how it could have grown so rich and how such wealth could be used to tackle poverty and inequality. This thesis tries to give an understanding of how microfinance institutions in Brazil can help alleviate inequality in the region. This thesis will argue that microfinance can be part of a solution to solve economic and social inequality as it can increase income, generate employment, offer valuable skills and empower women. Even though issues arise such as dependency and possible debt, institutions can be reformed to make them more effective in achieving their goals. Thus the last part of the thesis will offer solutions and make recommendations.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
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The theses explains ways of understanding loans, debt, mutuality, and future perceptions within the uncertainty of the Ghanaian economy and the dynamic social, cultural and economic setting of...Show moreThe theses explains ways of understanding loans, debt, mutuality, and future perceptions within the uncertainty of the Ghanaian economy and the dynamic social, cultural and economic setting of Kintampo, a transitional medium-sized town, and its emerging and proliferating financial landscape. The analysis is based on a three months field trip and includes two case studies on government workers and taxi drivers.Show less
