Prosperity, Equality, and Power

Abstract

We present data based on recent re-surveys of Tanzanian households first visited in the early 1990s in Manyara Region. These demonstrate a marked increase in prosperity from high levels of poverty, using locally determined measures of wealth. It does not, however, follow that these improvements derive from GDP growth. We consider the implications of this research for further explorations of the relationship between economic growth and agricultural policy in rural areas. Finally we present local interpretations of the reasons for this change which focus on endogenous characteristics like mind-sets and attitudes which are fundamental for responding to exogenous change.