Working Papers
For submission of articles or Working Papers to CEsA, please send an email to:
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Working Paper 17/1989: Agricultura e desenvolvimento
Abstract:
In Agricultura e Desenvolvimento we study how the policy followed in the introduction of biotechnologies in developing countries during the last decades has closely followed the evolution of concepts and theories on the problem of development. Faced with the food shortage of developing countries created by the population explosion from a more effective control of mortality, especially infant mortality, the need was felt to rapidly increase food production in those countries. In a first phase of what became known as the “Green Revolution”, there was an intensification of the agri-food sector of some developing countries, namely in Asia and Latin America. This intensification was based on the massive importation of technology, inputs and know-how from the most industrialized countries, using new high-yield cereal varieties obtained by crossing, hybridization and artificial pollination techniques. The policy followed was in agreement with the concepts of development then dominant and based on the “conventional paradigm” (isolation of the economic dimension and universality of the pattern of development), advocating rapid economic growth following the model of industrialized countries. In the development programs supported by the IMF and World Bank, the role of these institutions is important not only for their financing capacity, but also for the agreements signed with the governments of the PVD’s for which these programs are intended, giving confidence to the private international financial institutions that can thus participate in these programs.
Quotation:
Simões, Orlando e Ana Cristina Paulo. 1989. “Agricultura e desenvolvimento” . Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão. CEsA – Documentos de Trabalho nº 17/1989.
Working Paper 16/1989: As matérias primas minerais para o século XXI
Abstract:
In As matérias primas minerais para o século XXI we analyze how the last decades, the production of mineral raw materials has increased continuously. Certain drops, sometimes observed for some ores, are cyclical in nature and do not affect the general configuration of the growth curve. On the other hand, there has been a depletion of high-grade ore deposits, some of which have played an important role in the mining history of the world. Securing the supply of mineral products in the overpopulated world of the 21st century will therefore be a point worth serious consideration. With the world’s population growing at an impressive rate, what will be the situation for future generations with regard to access to mineral raw materials? The hopes we place in the progress of technology will not be totally unfounded. In recent years, man has been able to see technology overcoming barriers considered insurmountable. His hopes for the future development of activities in all fields of science and technology therefore have some justification, although they may perhaps be exaggerated. Considering the foreseeable possibilities of new technologies, which will enable us to draw on poor ores, gain access to marine deposits, raise scrap recycling to very high levels and make the use of substitutes commonplace – even then we will be obliged to review very carefully our attitude to the squandering of raw materials.
Quotation:
Nunes, Artur de Figueiredo. 1989. “As matérias primas minerais para o século XXI”. Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão. CEsA – Documentos de Trabalho nº 16/1989.
Working Paper 15/1989: A participação das empresas portuguesas em projectos industriais nos países da África Subsaariana: 1987-89
Abstract:
The last three years have seen a growing involvement of Portuguese companies in industrial projects in sub-Saharan African countries. This participation takes different forms and degrees of intervention: from the elaboration of feasibility studies, to technical assistance projects, rehabilitation, training actions and the establishment of joint ventures with African partners. The objective of this work is to demonstrate that these interventions by national companies contribute positively to the economies of those countries, at the same time that they constitute strategic actions for the diversification of their activities in other less competitive markets in view of the foreseeable increase in competition caused by the Single Market. 1993. In A participação das empresas portuguesas em projectos industriais nos países da África Subsaariana: 1987-89 we show that the projects developed, within the scope of the IOC, by European companies in ACP countries have brought a positive contribution to their economies, namely through the creation of new companies, rehabilitation of existing ones, the investment made, volume of employment created, staff trained, technical assistance provided, identification and design of projects.
Quotation:
Sá, Rui Moreira de .1989. “A participação das empresas portuguesas em projectos industriais nos países da África Subsaariana : 1987-89”. Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão. CEsA – Documentos de Trabalho nº 15/1989.
Working Paper 14/1990: Pobreza absoluta e desigualdades sociais, ajustamento estrutural e democracia na R.D. São Tomé e Príncipe
Abstract:
Pobreza absoluta e desigualdades sociais, ajustamento estrutural e democracia na República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe presents the results of an investigation which aimed to measure the degree of poverty of the wage-earning population of São Tomé and Príncipe. After a survey of the economic situation of São Tomé and Príncipe and the structural adjustment policy implemented since 1987, the author examines the social consequences of the country’s economic policy, notably the consequences for the distribution of income. This is done by applying a particular methodology in order to determine the proportion of income spent on food. It was found that social inequalities were considerable and the degree of poverty was high, notably in rural areas. The author suggests an alternative food pattern which would rely more on traditional food products. Through the adoption of such an alternative diet, the percentage of the population considered to be in a situation of poverty could decrease. Finally the author discusses the consequences of the structural adjustment programme for the process of democratization in the country.
Quotation:
Ferreira, Manuel Ennes .1990. “Pobreza absoluta e desigualdades sociais, ajustamento estrutural e democracia na República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe”. Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão. CEsA – Documentos de Trabalho nº 14/1990.
Working Paper 13/1988: Situação económica da Guiné-Bissau: alguns problemas
Abstract:
Situação económica da Guiné-Bissau : alguns problemas aims to be the result of a reflection on the economic policies implemented in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau after its independence. Starting from the economic and social situation prevailing at the time of independence, an attempt will be made to highlight the objectives proposed by the Guinea-Bissau authorities, referring to the methods and instruments used and analysing the results obtained. The reflections presented herein are the result of readings, both of official documents and opinion articles, but reflect a lack of knowledge “in loco” of the Guinean reality. In order to tackle Guinea-Bissau’s serious economic and social problems, a medium-term development plan was drawn up in which the development strategy and the vectors of this strategy are outlined. In conclusion, it seems to us that the development of Guinea-Bissau is based on two key words: production and management. Without a positive response from production, the economic and financial policy measures taken will be doomed to failure, and the sacrifices demanded of the population will have been in vain. On the other hand, only correct and effective management at all levels of economic activity, starting with the State itself, will lead to a significant improvement in the socio-economic situation of Guinea-Bissau.
Quotation:
Alberto, Deolinda Fonseca .1988. “Situação económica da Guiné-Bissau : alguns problemas”. Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão. CEsA – Documentos de Trabalho nº 13/1988.
Working Paper 12/1988: Tecnologia e desenvolvimento: os velhos e os novos desafios
Abstract:
Although the term “technology transfer” is already part of everyday language, its definition is not accepted without some problems. If we follow a classic definition by Harvey Brooks we would say that it is “the process by which science and technology are disseminated through human activity”. However, such a broad concept not only ends up involving substantially different situations, but is also prone to feed the frequent and confusing debate, which still remains today, about the concept of Technology. Furthermore, this confusion is evident not only in the indistinct use of such different concepts as science, technology or even technique, but also in the need felt by some authors to frequently modify the concepts they use, as well as the need to adjectivise them. In Tecnologia e desenvolvimento: os velhos e os novos desafios, our fundamental concern will be the circulation of technologies across borders, namely the transfer of technology from developed countries to developing countries, at a time when new challenges seem to provide new hope for these African countries. The aim is to highlight the importance of technology transfer for the development of all third world countries, and therefore also for Africa, at a time when new challenges seem likely to give new hope to these countries.
Quotation:
Faria, Francisco José. 1988. “Tecnologia e desenvolvimento: os velhos e os novos desafios”. Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão. CEsA – Documentos de Trabalho nº 12/1988.
Working Paper 11/1988: Tradição e mutação na África contemporânea: o desenvolvimento económico em causa
Abstract:
The relative failure of development policies implemented in Africa since the 1960s, with the help of cumbersome bureaucratic apparatus and ambitious plans, has led to the criticism of “modernization theories”, whether based on neoclassical and neo-Keynesian postulates or based on Marxist and neo-Marxist movement that served as a reference for the various modalities of the so-called “transition to socialism”. However, the vast majority of critical literature on “modernization theories” focuses its attention on neoclassical and neo-Keynesian-inspired paradigms, evoking arguments whose pertinence cannot fail to find justification. One of the elements at stake in the “modernization theories” is the relevance of the old dichotomy “tradition/modernity” in the face of the close interdependence of the different economic spaces, as pointed out by António M. Figueiredo and Carlos S. Costa. It is true that this dichotomy “cannot account for the complexity and diversity of underdevelopment situations. The very concepts taken in isolation need to be reconsidered in certain respects at least. Tradição e mutação na África contemporânea: o desenvolvimento económico em causa aims to formulate some working hypotheses that may eventually contribute to the discussion of this problem.
Quotation:
Torres, Adelino. 1988. “Tradição e mutação na África contemporânea: o desenvolvimento económico em causa”. Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão. CEsA – Documentos de Trabalho nº 11/1988.
Working Paper 10/1988: Zona Franco e sistema bancário africano
Abstract:
The Free Zone, or more correctly, the two free sub-zones began as a geographically defined space between France and its African colonies where. commercial and financial transfers were freely carried out. After 1966, with the liberalization of financial flows between France and the other countries, the characterization of the relations between France and its former colonies acquired a markedly monetary significance. Today France defines with six Central African countries (Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, Chad and Equatorial Guinea) and with seven West African countries (Ivory Coast, Benin, Burkina, Faro, Niger, Senegal, Togol and Mali) a currency zone (the Franc Zone) whose defining characteristic is the agreement established between the Issuing Bank of these States and the French Treasury, to set up an “operations account”. The existence of this “operations account” allows the convertibility of African currencies into French francs within the Franc Zone (at a fixed exchange rate), as well as the common management of gold and foreign exchange reserves. In Zona Franco e sistema bancário africano we will look at the two sub-zones, Western (West African Monetary Union) and Central (Central Bank of Central African States).
Quotation:
Franco, Ana. 1988. “Zona Franco e sistema bancário africano”. Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão. CEsA – Documentos de Trabalho nº 10/1988.
Working Paper 9/1988: Endividamento externo e crise financeira em África
Abstract:
The subject of Endividamento externo e da crise financeira da África (external indebtedness and the African financial crisis) is, in general terms, both too complex and too recent to be treated with the desired depth, for another work of this type. However, it is one of the most important aspects of the particularly difficult situation that Africa is experiencing at the moment, and it can even be said that from there a new type of global integration of the Continent into the World Economic System is generated, not only because of the recessionist effects to which the payment of debt service will lead, but also by organizing the economies into foreign exchange producers at all costs, by the hand of the IMF. This is assuming that there will not be a radical change in the world Financial System, which is unlikely. In this study we will, therefore, analyze the current characteristics of the PVD’s indebtedness process (Part I) and how Africa fits into this process (Part II). Finally, a typology of indebtedness situations in Africa is attempted, in order to distinguish particular problems of indebtedness from the general “problem” (Part III).
Quotation:
Brito, Paulo. 1988. “Endividamento externo e crise financeira em África” . Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão. CEsA – Documentos de Trabalho nº 9/1985.
Working Paper 8/1985: Perspectivas de análise dos dados do 1º recenseamento da população em Moçambique: para uma reflexão sobre as assimetrias demográficas
Abstract:
The Census Coordinating Council published a brochure with data from the ‘1st General Population Census’, carried out in August 1980. Hence the possibility of a first approach to these data in this Seminar on Population and Rural Development. It is in this attempt to analyze the results of the 1st General Population Census in Mozambique, it is our intention to focus on some aspects that will pave the way for several other perspectives that will certainly enable much more in-depth analyses. In Perspectivas de análise dos dados do 1º recenseamento da população em Moçambique : para uma reflexão sobre as assimetrias demográficas, will focus our attention on the main Demographic Asymmetries of the People’s Republic of Mozambique. We will do so because it is a more or less generalised habit of a large number of authors, when approaching the problem of Underdevelopment, to speak of unequal development (when not unequal and combined), dualistic development, etc. The “background” to these analyses is an entire dualist theoretical presupposition. Hence the talk, for example, in the case of Mozambique, of a ‘developed sector’ versus a ‘traditional sector’. We hope that, from the exposition to be made, various other perspectives of reflection will emerge. Perspectives that may be deepened in the debate to follow.
Quotation:
Antunes, Manuel de Azevedo . 1985. “Perspectivas de análise dos dados do 1º recenseamento da população em Moçambique : para uma reflexão sobre as assimetrias demográficas”. Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão. CEsA – Documentos de Trabalho nº 8/1985.
