Due Diligence: An Impertinent Inquiry into Microfinance (HTML)
The microfinance debate has been characterised by extremes of hype, both positive and negative. But a new book from David Roodman, of the Washington-based Centre for Global Development – and presented by CGD and CGAP at an event on 5 January 2012 in Washington, DC - attempts to review the evidence in more measured fashion.
In Due Diligence: An Impertinent Inquiry Into Microfinance, Roodman finds little evidence to support claims of microfinance's impact on poverty or empowerment. He argues instead that the rapid spread of microfinance institutions (MFIs) – thousands of which now deal with millions of people worldwide – should be seen as a development success in its own right.
"Sustainably extending the financial system to poor people is development," writes Roodman. "Poor people deserve access to financial infrastructure just as they deserve access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity."
In Due Diligence: An Impertinent Inquiry Into Microfinance, Roodman finds little evidence to support claims of microfinance's impact on poverty or empowerment. He argues instead that the rapid spread of microfinance institutions (MFIs) – thousands of which now deal with millions of people worldwide – should be seen as a development success in its own right.
"Sustainably extending the financial system to poor people is development," writes Roodman. "Poor people deserve access to financial infrastructure just as they deserve access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity."
More on this resource
- January 2012
- CGDev (http://www.cgdev.org/)
- 11.01.2012 11:35 | Contributed by: ADG Team
- http://www.cgdev.org/content/calendar/detail/1425821/
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