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...
| Published in: | Journal of Contemporary Asia Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 78 - 87 |
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| Format: | Article |
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Taylor & Francis Ltd
2005
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| Summary: | 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. |
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