This thesis focuses on community-based tourism (CBT) projects in Ecuador. The work discusses the grade of control that indigenous communities have in this form of ecotourism and also analyses the...Show moreThis thesis focuses on community-based tourism (CBT) projects in Ecuador. The work discusses the grade of control that indigenous communities have in this form of ecotourism and also analyses the empowerment of those groups in certain projects. This empowerment is often a result of foreign aid. Although indigenous communities often seem to be in control of CBT projects, empowerment is an issue in some cases.Show less
In November 2017, the Chinese Vice Finance Minister announced the government's intention to remove the limits on foreign ownship in commercial banks, asset management firms, securities firms, and...Show moreIn November 2017, the Chinese Vice Finance Minister announced the government's intention to remove the limits on foreign ownship in commercial banks, asset management firms, securities firms, and fund management firms. A few months later, the Governor of the People's Bank of China offered what can be considered a timeline for implementation. Although subsequent information has been very scarce and no specific rules have been issued, yet, the author's interest was so much piqued that he has written a thesis that speculates about the government's motivations to decide in this manner. With speculation as the driving force, in order to establish what foreign ownership may mean for a national banking sector in general and the Chinese one in particular, the author presents an overview of seminal research into this field as it has been published in the first decade of the century and has not been published since. Comparative studies on countries that show similarities with China also are presented. The Chinese banking sector, much like the political system, is like a black box. Few studies have appeared that describe the state of the financial sector in a non-partisan way. Nonetheless, the author has identified a number of existing problems that might be assuaged by allowing foreign ownership, by testing them against a number of hypotheses that have been distilled from the general literature. Again, speculation is the defining word, but on the basis of rational arguments, a number of very convincing reasons are presented why the Chinese government may decide to open up its financial sector to outside ownership.Show less
This thesis examines the incentive structures pertaining to palm oil conflicts in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The author has adopted a historical perspective in order to explain the development of the...Show moreThis thesis examines the incentive structures pertaining to palm oil conflicts in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The author has adopted a historical perspective in order to explain the development of the current ownership arrangements that are argued to foster land ownership disputes. Other themes include deepening issues involving increased resource scarcity, and negative externalities imposed by palm oil companies. Three case studies have been selected to support Abram et al.'s hypothesis that proximity to rain forests contributes to an increased likelihood in palm oil related conflicts.Show less
Since the turn of the millennia, considerable rethinking of modern development aid has taken place. In this context, the High Level Fora on Aid Effectiveness which took place in Paris in 2005, and...Show moreSince the turn of the millennia, considerable rethinking of modern development aid has taken place. In this context, the High Level Fora on Aid Effectiveness which took place in Paris in 2005, and Busan in 2011, can both be regarded as important turning points. While the first brought about greater recognition of recipient ownership in the development process, the second strengthened the role of private sector actors. Against this background, this thesis sets out to investigate the ways in which collaboration between public and private actors has been realized in the case of Swedish development aid, and the role that recipient ownership has received in this context. Having been among the most progressive actors in the field of development aid, Sweden has sought close cooperation with the private sector, as well as aid recipients throughout its practices. In order to gain a better understanding of the changes which have taken place over the course of the years, a case study analysis is conducted of Sweden’s past engagement in the form of the ‘Small Industries Program’ in Tanzania on the one hand, and its recent private sector support through the ‘Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund’ on the other.Show less
The Millennium Development Goals were a global endeavour to achieve pro-poor human development between 2000 and 2015. Although adopted by 189 heads of state, few governments of developing countries...Show moreThe Millennium Development Goals were a global endeavour to achieve pro-poor human development between 2000 and 2015. Although adopted by 189 heads of state, few governments of developing countries took ownership of the Goals by adjusting their national policies to UNDP guidelines for accomplishment. This research finds a correlation between ownership and MDG achievement by studying the policies and progress of Burkina Faso, Uganda and Kenya. The findings are used to argue for strategic cooperation between the UNDP, World Bank and IMF for successful pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals.Show less
