Entrepreneurship and Economic Development is a major research area of CFR's Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy initiative. The business environment necessary for entrepreneurship to flourish is closely related to the political environment needed for stable democracy. Problems such as capricious state authority, corruption, and poor education hinder both private enterprise and democratic governance. Entrepreneurship itself can also serve as a potent antidote to excessive state authority. However, the correlation between economic and political freedom is far from exact. The Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy initiative aims to understand how best to promote entrepreneurship and its connection to broader economic growth and democracy. One priority is women’s roles as entrepreneurs and contributions to economic development, especially in post-conflict settings.
Please see below for relevant publications.
Can Haiti rebuild better, with improved stability and prosperity? Four top experts stress different approaches to enable Haitians to rebuild and sustain their economy and public sector.
See more in Haiti, Democracy and Human Rights, Economic Development
The story of a young entrepreneur whose business created jobs and hope for women in her Kabul, Afghanistan, neighborhood during the Taliban years.
See more in Afghanistan, Economic Development, Women
To keep its edge in technological innovation against India and China, the United States must focus on open immigration policies, strengthening political and social networks, and more, says CFR's Adam Segal.
See more in United States, National Security and Defense, Economic Development, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Blaine D. Holt argues that rebuilding Kyrgyzstan's crumbling infrastructure with U.S. aid and manpower will lead to the development of programs and institutions from which a democracy can evolve.
See more in Russian Fed., Central Asia, Nation Building
Jagdish Bhagwati testifies before the Indian parliament about the impact of economic reforms made in the early 1990s, and the way forward.
Jake Cusack and Erik Malmstrom speak on private-sector development in Afghanistan.
See more in Afghanistan, Wars and Warfare, Nation Building
Jagdish Bhagwati argues that Indian policymakers should augment the economic reforms of the early 1990s, not reverse them as the misguided progressives urge.
See more in India, Economic Development
Jagdish Bhagwati compares the growth prospects of India and China.
See more in China, India, Economic Development, Emerging Markets
Sebastian Mallaby writes that China is advancing so rapidly in terms of productivity that a compromise on currency might serve only to slow its rise as an export juggernaut.
See more in China, Economic Development
Gayle Tzemach Lemmon argues that women are an untapped resource, and investment in women is critical to future growth.
See more in Economic Development, Women
Margaret L. Taylor discusses the relationship between development aid and stability in fragile countries.
See more in Economic Development, International Peace and Security, Foreign Aid
Brazil's rapid economic growth has transformed the country into a new global heavyweight, but Brazil must not let an overly ambitious foreign policy agenda distract it from lingering domestic challenges.
See more in Brazil, Business and Foreign Policy
Gayle Tzemach Lemmon discusses the rise of raisin production in Afghanistan.
See more in Afghanistan, Economic Development, Poverty
Experts discuss the role of the UN Millennium Development Goals as a framework for new government development policy, the importance of increasing aid funding transparency with developing nations, and the impact of the financial crisis on the developing world.
See more in Human Rights, Emerging Markets, Humanitarian Law, UN, Humanitarian Intervention, Peacekeeping, Culture and Foreign Policy
Experts discuss the role of the UN Millennium Development Goals as a framework for new government development policy, the importance of increasing aid funding transparency with developing nations, and the impact of the financial crisis on the developing world.
See more in Democracy Promotion, Human Rights, Economic Development, Emerging Markets, UN, Global Health, Humanitarian Intervention, Peacekeeping, Culture and Foreign Policy
Julia Sweig says a "radical new phase" in Cuban history is unfolding in plain sight, but Washington does not seem to notice.
See more in Cuba, United States, Democratization, Economic Development
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, speaks about economic transformation.
See more in Malaysia, Economic Development
Isobel Coleman discusses an initiative to provide affordable, efficient stoves to one hundred million homes around the world by 2020.
See more in Economic Development, Energy/Environment, Women
Minister Sharma shares his views on India's economy and role in global economic issues, including India's free trade agreements; the rising profile of trade in India's growth story; the U.S.-India economic relationship; and expectations for President Obama's visit.
See more in India, Business and Foreign Policy, Economic Development
Minister Sharma shares his views on India's economy and role in global economic issues, including India's free trade agreements; the rising profile of trade in India's growth story; the U.S.-India economic relationship; and expectations for President Obama's visit.
See more in India, Business and Foreign Policy, Economic Development
For more on what the United States and others can do to foster open, prosperous, and stable societies, visit CSM&D.
