World Bank policy research report

"The number of regional trade blocs has grown rapidly in recent decades. More than one-third of world trade now takes place within such blocs. New forms of bloc, encompassing both rich and poor countries, attempt to secure "deep integration" of economic activities. This book goes beyond existing studies to address the implications of these new forms of trading arrangement and to analyze the policy options that countries now face." "Trade Blocs analyzes both the political and the economic benefits of regional trade blocs. It argues that the benefits can sometimes be illusory and that careful economic choices have to be made if the schemes are to bring benefits. The trade-offs faced in these choices are analyzed, and the design of successful blocs is studied. The focus of the book is on policy choices for developing countries, with wider issues about the effect of the trade blocs on the world trading system also addressed."--Jacket.

"The number of regional trade blocs has grown rapidly in recent decades. More than one-third of world trade now takes place within such blocs. New forms of bloc, encompassing both rich and poor countries, attempt to secure "deep integration" of economic activities. This book goes beyond existing studies to address the implications of these new forms of trading arrangement and to analyze the policy options that countries now face." "Trade Blocs analyzes both the political and the economic benefits of regional trade blocs. It argues that the benefits can sometimes be illusory and that careful economic choices have to be made if the schemes are to bring benefits. The trade-offs faced in these choices are analyzed, and the design of successful blocs is studied. The focus of the book is on policy choices for developing countries, with wider issues about the effect of the trade blocs on the world trading system also addressed."--Jacket.

This book analyzes the process of international financial integration and the structural forces driving private capital to developing countries. Against this background, it details the potential benefits of integration and the implications of fast-moving global capital flows for emerging economics. Examining the experience of countries that have attracted substantial private capital flows, the book provides invaluable guidance as to what works and what doesn't during the transition to financial integration. It will be of compelling interest to policymakers and also to international investors and bankers, financial analysts, and researchers.

"Engendering Development - Through Gender Equality in Rights, Resources, and Voice brings together existing and new research from several social science disciplines to examine the costs of persistent gender disparities to well-being and countries' development prospects. It explores how formal and informal institutions shape gender roles and relations and how household decisions and behaviors reproduce those roles, the relationship between economic development and gender equality, and the role of public policy and civic action in promoting gender equality."--BOOK JACKET.