Growth, Redistribution, and Welfare: Toward Social Investment

Agricultural Productivity Growth and the Role of Capital in South Asia (1980–2013)

“…For example, Alesina and Rodrik [110] observed that growth maximizing policies are optimal only for governments concerned with the capitalist class. Concerns about economic growth and its redistributive effect are well documented in the economic literature [111][112][113]. Therefore, we argue that, for the desired growth to benefit all segments of the population, particularly the rural poor, agricultural sector growth should be included within wider range of optimization concerns of a country, particularly focusing on the dimensions of sustainability and welfare issues.…”

The Contribution of the Informal Economy to the Social and Economic Development of Women-Headed Households in the Chegutu Urban District in Zimbabwe

“…This affirms that addressing unemployment and poverty is not only about income and economic development, but also about human and social development (Midgley, 1999). Integrated social and economic development empowers people to become economically productive and self-sufficient (Lombard, 2007;Midgley, 1995).…”

“…Economic development is essential to expand resources and opportunities for social progress (ICSW, 2000); social progress, in turn, is essential to nurture and preserve economic development (ICSW, 2000). Interventionist strategies that create jobs, raise income and contribute to better standards of living counteract distorted development (Midgley, 1999) and promote integrated economic and social development (Lombard, 2005).…”

“…Social development aims at removing impediments to economic participation such as racial and gender discrimination (Lombard, 2007;Midgley, 1999). According to the World Bank (2009), it is important to channel resources and efforts towards the upliftment of women.…”

Mobilising Faith-Based Organisations for Social Development Through a Participatory Action Research (Par) Process1

“…Conscientising communities and particular strategic actors in those communities about pertinent social problems and mobilising them towards processes whereby they would solve those problems in a sustainable manner through their own capacities and strengths clearly seem to overlap significantly with the set objectives of social development that have also been adopted as the paradigm for social welfare delivery in post-apartheid South Africa (Coughlan & Collins, 2001;Department of Social Development, 2002;Department of Welfare and Population Development, 1997;Midgley, 2001;1999;Patel, 2003;Schurink, 1998;Sewpaul, 1997). At the same time, it is within this shared framework that the ongoing task to conscientise and empower the participants in the PAR process in a more informed way in terms of the ideological and paradigmatic challenges of social development is recognised.…”