Should and Can Development Policy Focus on the Poorest Too?

22 Pages Posted: 18 Jan 2010

See all articles by Ursula Grant

Ursula Grant

Overseas Development Institute (ODI)

Andrew Shepherd

Overseas Development Institute (ODI)

Date Written: December 2008

Abstract

There is a growing consensus that vulnerability undermines growth and human development progress, and so social protection to prevent downward mobility and poverty is an important third policy leg. This paper argues that nowhere in the current mainstream policy discourse is there a strong or systematic focus on the poorest people in society and posits several arguments as to why this is of critical concern. Three aspects of ‘the problem’ are introduced, which are then pursued in detail further in other CPRC Working Papers. First, policy processes and approaches may need adjustment. Second, specific measures are important and may require considerable re-prioritisation of effort and resources. Third, approaches to international aid require reviewing or adjusting. We conclude that this is not only important and useful (particularly in contexts of high poverty concentrations, rising inequality or state fragility) but also that it can be done, it is morally important and that necessary policy rethinking should be undertaken urgently.

Keywords: poorest, growth, equity, social protection, policy processes

Suggested Citation

Grant, Ursula and Shepherd, Andrew, Should and Can Development Policy Focus on the Poorest Too? (December 2008). Chronic Poverty Research Centre Working Paper No. 125, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1537156 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1537156

Ursula Grant (Contact Author)

Overseas Development Institute (ODI) ( email )

111 Westminister Bridge Rd.
London, SE17JD
United Kingdom

Andrew Shepherd

Overseas Development Institute (ODI) ( email )

111 Westminister Bridge Rd.
London, SE17JD
United Kingdom

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