Illusions and Disillusions with Pro-Poor Growth

Description:
Evaluation of Poverty Reduction Strategies in Latin America - 2004 / Reginal Report 2004
This report compares the recent experiences with the PRSP process in Bolivia, Honduras and Nicaragua. It is divided into two sections. A first section focuses on the most important developments of the PRSP process, with emphasis on the second generation poverty reduction strategies, brought to light once the HIPC culmination point was reached or nearly attained. What new directions are these revised strategies taking? Is the participatory process still sustainable? Are electoral cycles and other changes in national politics affecting the course of the implementation of the PRSP? Has donor cooperation improved during the process? The second section evaluates how pro-poor growth initiatives have been incorporated in these strategies and if there is effectively a link between the policies proposed and poverty reduction. It raises questions as to what extent the PRSP effectively will change the economic growth process to the greater benefit of the poor. The analysis suggests this is no trivial matter as concepts vary as to what pro-poor growth means and there is even less consensus as to what are effective pro-poor policies.