Microcredit: A Cautionary Tale.

The writer conducts a critical appraisal of the often inflated reputation of microcredit as a triumphant neoliberal “solution” to the complex historical causes of poverty and underdevelopment. He posits some challenges to microfinance advocates' claims that these schemes offer a long-term means of...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journal of Contemporary Asia Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 78 - 87
Autor principal: Lucarelli, Bill
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd 2005
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:The writer conducts a critical appraisal of the often inflated reputation of microcredit as a triumphant neoliberal “solution” to the complex historical causes of poverty and underdevelopment. He posits some challenges to microfinance advocates' claims that these schemes offer a long-term means of helping to alleviate the poverty of a growing number of “the poorest of the poor,” remedy gender discrimination and oppression, and are generally self-financing and sustainable. He acknowledges the important role of microcredit in the development process but warns against relying too heavily upon microcredit initiatives as a cure-all for such complex issues.