Abstract This paper addresses the significance of debt with reference to three African countries namely, Angola, Benin and Liberia. It suggests possible ways in which these countries can solve their debt problems, including restructuring of debts.
Tags:debt, debt crisis, sub saharan africa, default, world bank, debt repayment, economic reform, dictatorships, socialist, civil war
Abstract This paper examines the dimension of Kenya's national debt. It describes the enormity of the debt in human terms, as the author writes that the cost of paying just the interest alone on the debt is far larger than what the government spends on healthcare. The paper investigates the true motives of the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Poverty Reduction Strategy
Purpose of the Poverty Reduction Strategy
Political Consequences
Political pressure by IMF
Internal violence
Conclusion
In Text Citations
From the Paper "Africa spends four times more on interest on her loans than on healthcare.
"The issue of Third World debt is one that cannot be ignored or wished away. In just 10 years, it escalated from a little over $400 billion in 1980 to a staggering $1.3 trillion in 1990. Kenya's eternal debt is more than $7 billion". Nairobi (The Nation, October 13, 1998) ""
Abstract A paper concerning the Nantionall Debt and its impact on the U. S. economy. As a nation of shoppers, most Americans are heavily in debt. How does all this debt affect the economy?
Abstract The paper presents a review of the issue of the national debt: causes, effects, and possible solutions. It looks at the history of the national debt, how it measures the net effect of fiscal policies and reviews effects and what the increase in the national debt means.
From the Paper "This research examines the issue of the national debt in the United States together with what if anything should be done about the national debt. When one speaks of the national debt one is referring to the monetary obligations of the United States Treasury. Such obligations are created by the United States Treasury through the issuance of monetary obligation instruments... "
Abstract This paper examines methods whereby US homeowners' debt load can be reduced and ultimately eliminated while building wealth as homeowners. To this end, this paper provides an overview of the current financial situation facing many Americans, followed by an analysis of how some people have approached these dual goals. A summary of the research and salient findings are provided in the conclusion.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
The Path to Debt Elimination and Wealth Accumulation
Debt-Reduction and Wealth-Accumulation Strategies for the Whittingtons
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "On the one hand, the need for debt elimination strategies is more pronounced today than ever. Many American families that have worked diligently for years now find themselves little better off - or in many cases worse off - than they were a decade ago. In fact, in the United States, almost one-half of the wealth is in the hands of just 3.5 percent of the households, and the majority of the other households do not even approach the upper levels (Stanley & Danko, 1996). In this regard, Reich (2001) reports that, "The dirtiest little secret about the Roaring Nineties is that average working families gained almost no income, while their health care costs soared. From 1986 through 1997 (the latest year for which detailed IRS data are available), the average income of the richest 1 percent of Americans rose 89 percent, to $517,713" (p. 56). During this same period of time, though, the average income of the bottom 90 percent of Americans increase a meager 1.6 percent, to just $23,815 after all federal income taxes were paid (Reich, 2001). At the same time, healthcare costs increased even faster than inflation, a trend that especially affected middle-income Americans families; by the end of the 1990s, fully 44 million Americans lacked health insurance, almost 8 million more than those without health insurance a decade earlier (Reich, 2001). Furthermore, by the end of 1997, even those who were insured paid substantially more, through higher co-payments, deductibles, and premiums (Reich, 2001). Likewise, consumer debt because of credit card use is at an all-time high, and Brown (1999) suggests that, depending on their personal circumstances, consumers should first eliminate this source of debt as a debt-reduction strategy because of the exorbitant interest rates involved: "[Consumers] should carry out an aggressive debt-reduction strategy over the next three to five years in order to eliminate their outstanding debt. Otherwise the interest from their credit cards will erode the profits from any portfolio. Earning 10 percent to 12 percent on your investment portfolio and paying out 18 percent to 21 percent in consumer debt doesn't help you realize a profit on your portfolio, no matter how well you are invested" (Brown, 1999, p. 60)."
Tags:debt, elimination, wealth, accumulation, mortages, retirement, budgeting, homeowners, middle, income
Abstract This paper examines the effect of Japanese debt on economic growth. The author considers the possibility that the Japanese debt could cripple the entire world economy. Economic growth is discussed not only from the standpoint of Japan, but also from the standpoint of other members of the world economy. The author presents background information on the economic rise, and potential fall, of Japan. The paper also consists of prominent models and theories that are presented and explained, to illustrate the economic effects of the debt of the Japanese government. Paper includes charts and tables.
Outline:
Abstract
Theory
Data
Conclusions
From the Paper "In order to put the significance of the consideration of Japanese economics into perspective, consider for a moment the fact that Japan is the second world economic superpower, behind the United States (Witter, 1997). Keeping that in mind, there are several key economic indicators that show a true storm brewing within the Japanese economy due to the debt of the Japanese government; for example, current figures show that the debt of the Japanese government outweighs their GPD (Gross Domestic Product) by an obscenely high 170%, the Japanese National Bank is insolvent, and there is a glut of outstanding JGBs (Japanese Government Bonds (Posen, 2000). While all of these statistics are staggering, there are some very informative models and theories that illustrate this problem in greater depth; the best of these models and theories will now be presented and discussed in an effort to add another dimension to this research and provide a complete understanding of not only the topic, but also its significance to everyone in the developed world and beyond."
Abstract A paper discussing the debt problems (and possible solutions) of Mozambique. Racked by past civil war and governmental mismanagement in addition to a current flooding crisis, Mozambique is struggling to survive. While successful efforts have been and are being made, the country still relies on foreign aid to balance the budget. A combination of debt cancellation and knowledge seems to be the only answer.
Abstract This paper discusses the idea that management has the option to make debt a permanent part of the company's capital structure. It contends that in a regulated, mature industry such as a public utility, this can have many wealth-enhancing benefits for the stockholders.
From the Paper "Debt tends to have a negative connotation in most people's minds. In personal finance it represents assets that will need to be given away later in life. But corporations have an unlimited life span. This and other factors give management the option to make debt a permanent part of the company's capital structure. In a regulated mature industry such as a public utility this can have many wealth-enhancing benefits for the stockholders. The fundamental law that applies to all financial analysis is the ..."
Abstract This paper reviews the impact of debt relief on domestic social, political and economic situations. According to this paper, the external debt situation for a number of low-income countries has become extremely difficult in recent years, prompting the IMF and the World Bank to design a framework to provide special assistance to the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC).
Contents:
Introduction
Challenges and Future Policies
Diagnosis and Reflections on Poverty Reduction Policies
Poverty and Recession in Sub-Saharan Africa
Africa Deprived of Its Inheritance
The Urban Dynamics: Cities Suffer Most
Policy Design Post Evaluation
Conclusions
From the Paper "As for the implementation of the strategies, the principle of participation from different members of society opens up new prospects that will have an impact on the way national affairs are led. By favouring respect for the right to information and expression, participation fulfils one objective in that it deals with one of the key factors of poverty, namely exclusion and marginalisation. But the potential impact of this precept goes way beyond this aspect. Participation will only take on its full meaning if it really helps solve the problem of the lack of democracy in poor countries. It should give extra capabilities and power to intermediate bodies (the media, trade unions, associations, etc.) in drawing up, monitoring, controlling, assessing and redirecting the policies. Information is of course of utmost importance in this respect, and its formative nature must be underlined. It makes public choices explicit and increases transparency in the management of state affairs, whilst offering the different players in society the possibility of exerting pressure, or even taking sanctions in the case of failure. In short, making the state accountable for its actions before its citizens is at stake."
Tags: bank, debt, domestic, economics, gdp, gnp, imf, implications, relief, world
Abstract Six page paper exploring the recent and out of control trend of college students getting themselves deep into debt by getting easy credit cards at school.
A discussion of the problem and significance of state debt affordability, an analysis of the leading methods to measuring and controlling debt affordability at the state level, and recommendations to state debt managers.
Abstract A state government's ability to balance the competing objectives of affordability, flexibility and capital demands can be challenging. One of the important objectives of a debt policy is to define the measures of debt affordability. This paper analyzes the prevailing literature on state debt affordability. It investigates the methods of debt affordability assessment that state governments currently practice and finds that states typically have an informal approach to addressing key policy elements regarding state debt and state debt managers often have no clear standard for measuring affordability. The writer presents two methods for addressing the problem of affordability: A generational model that attempts to determine how much debt is being shouldered by each generation and a relative affordability model that compares states' ratios of debt to resources available. In response to the literature, recommendations are made arguing for the importance of including affordability assessments in debt policy, the implementation of more formalized policies dealing with state debt affordability, the refinement of the generational model for use at the state level, and the use of the relative affordability model as a tool for debt managers.
From the Paper "Debt has become one of the most important tools of contemporary state governments. It is used to finance a plethora of each state's ventures every year. Since 1975, the outstanding state debt has doubled nearly eight times, resulting in a $548 billion dollar tab as of the year 2000. Generally, this debt is non-guaranteed and issued by different entities created by the state which are not bound by traditional centralized oversight and control. This long-term debt is typically issued to finance capital expenses (Brecher, Richwerger, & Van Wagner, 2003). These capital expenses can take many forms, ranging from homeless shelters to sports stadiums and everything in between (Robbins & Dungan, 2001)."
Tags: finance, government, management, policy, public
Abstract This paper discusses the problems associated with the high levels of student debts that exist in the United States. It looks at the history of student debts for education and discusses the flaws in the program that have resulted in the current dilemma. The paper then focuses on alternative solutions for dealing with the student debt problems, particularly debt consolidation.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Recent History of the Student Debt The Parameters of the Current Dilemma
Alternative Approaches Responding to Student Debt The Best Alternative Approaches to the Problem: Debt Consolidation
Conclusion
From the Paper "There are a variety of issues that are of importance to practitioners within student services. However, the most pressing problem facing students today is the burden of educational loans they have to pay back with interests after their graduation. This paper highlighted recent history of this issue and also discussed its current parameters. In addition, this paper highlighted alternative approaches being used by students to successfully pay back their debts. This paper found that the most effective approach for students available today is loan consolidation as it offers unmatched benefits and advantages."
Abstract The paper explores how cutting taxes may ultimately be an important strategy in reducing the federal debt of the United States. The federal debt has been a long standing concern of American citizens, politicians and economists. Today, the federal government faces a projected gross federal debt of $6,118,364 million in 2005. The paper shows how governments have traditionally taken the stance of increasing taxes or cutting spending in order to reduce the deficit. These attempts have largely failed due to unanticipated budget concerns. It explores how, in traditional attempts to reduce the debt, cutting taxes was thought to be a way to decrease national revenues, thus potentially increasing the debt. However, many economists are now considering that cutting taxes may help to stimulate the economy, paradoxically resulting in increased taxation revenue through higher employment and better wages. The paper examines how tax cuts may prove to be a way to increase revenues, thus potentially providing a means to reduce the federal debt. It also examines President Bush's Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA, designed to cut taxes, reduce the debt, and stimulate the national economy.
From the Paper "Critics however, argue that EGTRRA will ultimately fail. They note that misrepresentations in federal budgeting overestimate budget surpluses, including mistakes in long term costs of retirement programs from a budgeted $5.6 trillion to a mere 1.6 trillion. Further, they note that EGTRRA will reduce revenues through tax cuts. Ultimately, the critics argue that the combination of a decreased budget surplus and tax cuts will sink the EGTRRA (Gale and Potter).
If the critics are correct, and the EGTRRA fails, the government will be forced to increase taxes, reduce spending, or increase the public debt. As such, plans to reduce taxes may once again result in increased federal debt."
