UNRISD: Publications

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UNRISD pursues an active and varied publications programme, which includes in-house and commercially published books, special reports, programme and occasional papers, as well as newsletters on specific events and the Institute’s work in general.

This section provides a catalogue of our publications, and free online access to many of them. We encourage you to subscribe to our free email alerts service to be informed when new publications are posted on this Web site.

Unpublished papers may be accessed via the Research section of the site.

Highlights...

November 2007
Neoliberalism and Institutional Reform in East Asia: A Comparative Study
Author: Meredith Woo-Cumings

In the aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis, international financial institutions suggested various neoliberal solutions for reforming economic management within East Asian countries. This collection examines the structural changes that occured in East Asia following the crisis and explores the philosophical and empirical bases of suggested solutions, and questions how far they have been adopted. This book, edited by Meredith Jung-En Woo, brings together international scholars in political economy, law and sociology to interrogate the seemingly unproblematic notions—the rules of law, good corporate governance, and flexible labour market—that inform neoliberal policy prescriptions. The contributors discuss how these concepts have been interpreted and practiced in East Asia since the crisis to trace the developmental trajectory of the region since 1998.

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October 2007
Democracy and Social Policy
Author: Yusuf Bangura

This book, edited by Yusuf Bangura, examines the complex relations between democracy and social policy. Economic development is a necessary but not sufficient condition for welfare development. In advanced industrial democracies, variations in welfare provision are explained by differences in the reach and organization of unions, presence of Left parties in government, and social pacts that reconcile the conflicting interests of unions, employers and the state. Social security provision is limited in democracies with low levels of industrialization, even though some countries with a social democratic orientation seem to have done well. In such low-income democracies, traditions of political rights, improvements in electoral competitiveness, and a pro-active judiciary may empower social movements to pressure governments to introduce progressive social reforms. Social policies can aid democratic transitions that are highly polarized, those that involve both political and market liberalization, and those that occur in deeply divided multiethnic societies. They improve the security of citizens, contribute to social solidarity, encourage disadvantaged groups to have faith in the democratic regime, and delegitimize violent alternatives.

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August 2007
Staking Their Claims: Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility in South Africa
Author: David Fig

Staking Their Claims presents sectoral studies on the chemical, mining and food industries. It also examines crosscutting issues such as the response of business to black economic empowerment and the AIDS pandemic. The book provides vital insights for corporate leaders, business schools, social analysts, investors, and those in the field of corporate social and environmental responsibility.

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July 2007
Social Policy in Sub-Saharan African Context: In Search of Inclusive Development
Author: Jimi O. Adesina

This volume, edited by J. Adésínà, reviews Africa's past experiences of social policy, with an eye on the future. Contributions examine a range of social policy issues around healthcare, education, the labour market and social welfare, and highlight important conceptual and policy issues for rebuilding Africa. What stands out from these studies is how well the post-colonial nationalist leaders understood the positive links between social policy and economic development, and the significance of economic and social policy for nation building.

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April 2007
Trinidad and Tobago: Ethnic Conflict, Inequality, and Public Sector Governance
Author: Ralph R. Premdas

How does a multi-ethnic society resolve the contentious issue of shares and resource allocation without damaging the state? Arguing that ethnic divides in underdeveloped states are much more evident than in developed countries, this study examines inequality in relation to distributive justice, the adaptation of political structures and institutions, the role of symbols of recognition in representation and strategies of conflict management in power sharing, resource allocation and public policy.

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