The informal economy is ever-present in developing countries. It is present in any worker and small business out of the state’s regulatory environment. Moreover, high poverty rates are also present...Show moreThe informal economy is ever-present in developing countries. It is present in any worker and small business out of the state’s regulatory environment. Moreover, high poverty rates are also present in such developing countries. Therefore, finding a way to address the informal economy to see whether poverty can be reduced is paramount. Thus, this thesis will explore the research question of: What state interventions to the informal economy can affect the countries’ poverty rates across different levels of economic development? For this purpose, this research will explore two state interventions: those facilitating business formalization and those providing social protection. By analyzing over 100 countries and conducting a multiple linear regression, this research has found a statistical effect of state interventions on the countries’ poverty rates. The findings show that state interventions can affect the poverty rates of developing countries. However, such an effect is contingent on matters such as the level of corruption and government effectiveness. Thus, these findings pave the way for future focus on how the countries’ institutional environment must be addressed when looking into how to target the informal economy to reduce poverty.Show less
This paper conducted research on the relationship between scarcity and risk-taking, as well as how this relationship is moderated by neuroticism. The study employed established questions and tasks...Show moreThis paper conducted research on the relationship between scarcity and risk-taking, as well as how this relationship is moderated by neuroticism. The study employed established questions and tasks used in peer-reviewed papers. The study differed between the concepts risk tolerance and risk preference. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the data, which was performed in SPSS. After analysing the data it was concluded that scarcity and risk-taking have a positive relationship when tested with the risk-tolerance variable. For the risk preference variable this effect was only present if gender was controlled. Neuroticism also moderates the effect of financial scarcity on risk-taking for the risk-tolerance variable, but not the risk-preference variable. It was found that neuroticism weakens the relationship between scarcity and risk- taking. The study contributes to literature about the effect of neuroticism on the tendency to take or avoid risks, as well as the literature on how scarcity can increase the tendency to take risks in practical setting such as treating those with gambling addictions or tendency to overspend. The paper was limited by its risk preference measure, which did not properly simulate a risk-reward scenario, contrary to the risk tolerance measure.Show less
Bachelor thesis | South and Southeast Asian Studies (BA)
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According to the 2001 Census, almost half of all persons with disabilities are literate and visually disabled. It is when seeing this relatively large number I wondered if visually impaired...Show moreAccording to the 2001 Census, almost half of all persons with disabilities are literate and visually disabled. It is when seeing this relatively large number I wondered if visually impaired children from poverty get an equal chance at education in India. The reason chosen for this subject is empathy and personal interest. I work at Voorall, a foundation in The Hague that stands up for the interests of disabled people. Children are the future of the world and education is something that should be invested in because knowledge is relevant for one’s development. Empowerment of visually disabled people from a poor environment is of great importance, because all children deserve a fair and equal chance in education. This makes it essential that education should be inclusive. Firstly, the methodology will be explained. For this research it was important to do both desk research as well as qualitative research. For the desk research primary as well as secondary sources have been used. The qualitative research has been done in the form of a questionnaire with 9 visually impaired students from India that are from a poor background. The hypothesis is that although the government, NGO’s and institutions are involved in inclusive education, visually challenged school children from poverty have less chance on a good education. Therefore, the main question for this thesis is: How can a fear chance at education also be given to visually challenged students from poverty? Besides the fact that this question will be theoretically approached, I will also give advice with help of the read theories. Some questions need to be answered to form the right advice for the main question. Hence, the sub questions are: What are the policies on inclusiveness and disability by the state?, Which parties and NGO’s are involved in getting poor students an education?, How do schools approach a visual impairment?, How can the state of India and NGO’s realize inclusivity in education amongst the visually challenged underprivileged? and How do visually impaired students experience inclusive education?. For the latter the results of the questionnaire are most useful. In the conclusion a piece of advice will be given on how India can improve inclusive education based on the results of the research questions and questionnaire.Show less
This study aimed to explore possible implications to tackle obstacles that prevent people from contacting their creditors when facing financial hardship. It is found that people living in poverty...Show moreThis study aimed to explore possible implications to tackle obstacles that prevent people from contacting their creditors when facing financial hardship. It is found that people living in poverty often do not use the available help, leaving them with social withdrawal. We identified two possible reasons for the problem. The first is the experienced shame, the second is the perceived control. This study, therefore, examined the effect of experienced shame and perceived control on behavioral tendencies. Specifically, it investigated whether addressing shame and inducing control in a negative financial situation has an impact on willingness to contact one’s creditor. To test our hypothesis, an online study was distributed to people who experience or have experienced financial hardship. Results showed no increase in willingness to contact when shame was addressed. An increase in willingness to contact was found when control was induced. Exploratively, it was found that addressing shame and inducing control combined increased a person’s willingness to contact. The results indicated that control had a positive effect on the relation between shame and avoidant tendencies. Finally, this study discusses the theoretical and practical implications, along with its limitations and directions for future research.Show less
Since requesting financial assistance from European and international partners in 2010, Greece has been involved in three consecutive macroeconomic adjustment programmes negotiated with the Troika...Show moreSince requesting financial assistance from European and international partners in 2010, Greece has been involved in three consecutive macroeconomic adjustment programmes negotiated with the Troika of international institutions: the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. The European heads of states decided to provide the conditional assistance at the gatherings of the Euro Summit, an organisation where they also founded the Eurogroup and set conditions for Greece to start negotiations. After preparatory work by the Troika, the Eurogroup and the IMF shaped conditions and adopted decisions on the loan programmes. The Eurozone states, which contributed the majority of financing, channelled their financial assistance through the Greek Loan Facility, the European Financial Stability Facility, and the European Stability Mechanism. The IMF participated financially in the first two programmes, while remaining in stand-by in the third. Policy conditionality was specified in Memoranda of Understanding and formally adopted in Council Decisions adopted by the Council of the EU. It mainly consisted of Greece passing a number of austerity measures combined with specifically prescribed structural reform, a strategy based on the theory of expansionary austerity. The specific institutional rules and setup have given the international institution the power to shape Greece’s public spending and legislation in key areas such as labour, social field and more. Taking into account this impact and the consideration that institutions are the most important factors in the occurrence of poverty, while examining the theoretical and practical implications of austerity, this paper builds on the position proposed by Thomas Pogge that deliberate and predictable actions that lead to poverty can be deemed a violation of human rights. In particular, it explores whether the impacts of the conditionalities imposed on Greece by the mentioned international organisations can implicate their responsibility for the effect of their policies on the state of human rights in Greece, in particular the right to work and the right to social security.Show less
What do we owe the global poor? Caney (2007) answers this long-standing philosophical question by arguing that there is a negative duty of justice not to foist an unjust global order on others and...Show moreWhat do we owe the global poor? Caney (2007) answers this long-standing philosophical question by arguing that there is a negative duty of justice not to foist an unjust global order on others and a positive duty of justice to eradicate all poverty that did not arise from the imposition of this unjust order. In this thesis, I argue that the first part of Caney’s conception is too narrow, and the second part is too broad. The first part of his conception is too narrow in scope because it attributes duties only to a limited number of people through membership of a relatively fixed shared structure. I argue, instead, that one gains a duty by being causally connected to the harm. This is a more inclusive broader approach that can account for almost all cases of poverty. The second part of Caney’s conception is too broad, I argue, since it is not a perfect duty of justice but an imperfect duty. My claim is that duties must be primarily attributed through causal connection and that for a perfect duty to arise a causal connection is crucial. Therefore, I argue that there is a perfect duty through causal connection and an imperfect duty without causal connection.Show less
The present study examines the effect of financial scarcity on cognitive performance by not only measuring the objective, but also the subjective aspect of scarcity, contrary to earlier research in...Show moreThe present study examines the effect of financial scarcity on cognitive performance by not only measuring the objective, but also the subjective aspect of scarcity, contrary to earlier research in this field. Cognitive performance was measured by means of a cognitive control task and a working memory task. A moderating effect of cognitive load was tested by randomly assigning participants into either a ‘difficult’ or ‘easy’ condition, determining the level of difficulty of the financial scenarios they had to solve. This effect could not be rejected, nor supported. By use of the Psychological Inventory of Financial Scarcity (PIFS), this study finds support for the relationship between subjective financial scarcity and cognitive performance. More specifically, we demonstrate an effect on cognitive control, while no support was found an effect on working memory. This study underwrites the importance of a measurement of subjective financial scarcity and encourages future research to uncover the true impact of the cognitive load in the minds of the poor.Show less
Thomas Pogge claims to close the gap between proponents of large-scale humanitarian aid to the third world, and those opposing such policy. Pogge turns this last group into his target audience by...Show moreThomas Pogge claims to close the gap between proponents of large-scale humanitarian aid to the third world, and those opposing such policy. Pogge turns this last group into his target audience by adopting an alleged core-principle of libertarianism, a premise that is often held among those who oppose large governmental programs, roughly the political ‘right’. According to Pogge’s argument, those holding onto the libertarian tenet must completely turn their stance on foreign aid around, as their principle actually prescribes moral duties of first world citizens to aid the third world in order to salvage inflicted damages. In this essay, I examine the actual persuasiveness of Pogge’s argument by assessing the similarity between premises used by Pogge and those held by his target audience. I do so by distinguishing two variants of Pogge’s argument, which both consist of three sub-arguments. Despite the occasional agreement, Pogge’s argument fails to concord with many key-premises generally associated with libertarians, liberals and conservatives. Due to the clash in between the two sides of the debate, Pogge’s tactic to reconcile them into one proposal fails to truly convince. I conclude that Pogge is more likely to sway his target audience by using their similarities to open a dialogue.Show less
Today around 2.5 billion people remain unbanked or underbanked, meaning they lack access to basic services such as checking accounts and loans. In addition, social entrepreneurs desperately need...Show moreToday around 2.5 billion people remain unbanked or underbanked, meaning they lack access to basic services such as checking accounts and loans. In addition, social entrepreneurs desperately need sustainable financial vehicles to stimulate economic growth from the bottom-up in underdeveloped countries. How to bring financial services to the doorstep of the poor has hence always been a question at the forefront of the global development industry. Since its inception in the 1970’s, the modern concept of microfinance has consequently drawn much attention to itself. At times, its pioneer father Muhammad Yunus has even been hailed as having invented the solution which would ultimately end global poverty. This thesis first examines microfinance in Kenya and evaluates its respective effectiveness in stimulating social entrepreneurship. It then includes social venture capital as a possible alternative to traditional impact investment tools and ultimately hints at a new combined direction in financing Africa.Show less
Even though billions are spent on poverty alleviation, and many thousands of pages of policy have been written, there is no clear idea on the effect of poverty reduction strategies. This paper...Show moreEven though billions are spent on poverty alleviation, and many thousands of pages of policy have been written, there is no clear idea on the effect of poverty reduction strategies. This paper argues that not only development aid has not been durably effective, moreover, this lack of effectiveness is due to a fundamental misunderstanding of what is poverty. This paper argues that the mismatch between poverty-definitions of donor and recipient can be solved through a new conceptualization of poverty, in which its intersocial dimension is central. Two new concepts are introduced: aspiration (the desire to belong to a group which possesses certain commodities – ranging from material goods to civil or human rights, and more) and acceptation (the condition that the group needs to accept an aspirer). Hence, poverty is defined in terms of agency, individuality and desire. The last step made in the argument is to apply the new conceptualization – the Aspiration Approach – to three recurring themes in Dutch development aid to Sub-Saharan African countries. It is shown here how a different definition of poverty can lead to a better understanding of failing development aid. The Aspiration Approach to Poverty defines poverty as the state in which one can be where one has aspirations that cannot be fulfilled. This unfulfilment can obviously have many reasons, but the reason that stands out in the Aspiration Approach is that others – the Opulent Society – do not accept the validity or worthiness of the aspirations.Show less
