1998年-世界发展银行全球_World_Development_Report_19981999___Knowledge_for_Development_266页_5mb

World Development Report 1998/99: Knowledge for Development

Core Content

The World Development Report 1998/99 focuses on the role of knowledge in promoting economic and social well-being, emphasizing that knowledge is not only a factor of production but also a key driver of development. The report highlights two critical types of knowledge and their associated problems:

1. Technical Knowledge (Know-how): Knowledge about specific skills and technologies, such as farming, health, and accounting.
2. Knowledge about Attributes: Information about the quality of goods, the credibility of individuals, and the reliability of institutions.

These two types of knowledge are analyzed in the context of developing countries, where knowledge gaps and information problems are more pronounced and have significant negative impacts on the poor.

Main Points

Knowledge Gaps

• Definition: Unequal distribution of technical knowledge between and within countries.
• Impact: Poor countries and individuals have less access to technical knowledge, which limits their ability to develop and grow.
• Examples:
  • Knowledge about treating diseases like diarrhea is available but not always accessible to the poor.
  • Poor countries lag behind in technological and scientific advancements due to limited investment and access.
• Importance: Closing these gaps is essential for improving the quality of life, especially for the poorest segments of society.

Information Problems

• Definition: Incomplete or unreliable knowledge about attributes, which hinders market efficiency and economic transactions.
• Impact: These problems are especially detrimental to the poor, as they often lack access to information and institutions that can help them navigate markets.
• Examples:
  • Inability to assess product quality or borrower creditworthiness leads to market failures.
  • Poor access to education and information exacerbates poverty and inequality.
• Solutions: Strengthening institutions, improving transparency, and ensuring access to information are vital for addressing these issues.

Key Information

• Knowledge as a Foundation: Economies are built not just on physical capital and human skill, but on information, learning, and adaptation.
• Information Revolution: Advances in technology and communication are making knowledge more accessible, but also highlighting the urgent need for policies to ensure equitable access.
• Globalization Risks: While globalization offers opportunities, it also increases competition and the risk of poor countries falling behind.
• Policy Recommendations:
  • Technical Knowledge: Develop policies to improve access to global knowledge, such as open trade, foreign investment, and technology transfer.
  • Information Problems: Strengthen institutions and mechanisms for transparency, disclosure, and enforcement to support market efficiency.
• Social and Economic Benefits: Improving knowledge and addressing information problems can lead to better public goods, more effective markets, and improved well-being for all, especially the poor.

Structure of the Report

Part One: Narrowing Knowledge Gaps

• Chapter 1: The Power and Reach of Knowledge
• Chapter 2: Acquiring Knowledge
• Chapter 3: Absorbing Knowledge
• Chapter 4: Communicating Knowledge

Part Two: Addressing Information Problems

• Chapter 5: Information, Institutions, and Incentives
• Chapter 6: Processing the Economy's Financial Information
• Chapter 7: Increasing Our Knowledge of the Environment
• Chapter 8: Addressing Information Problems That Hurt the Poor

Part Three: Policy Priorities

• Chapter 9: What Can International Institutions Do?
• Chapter 10: What Should Governments Do?

Supporting Elements

• Boxes: Highlight case studies and examples such as:

  • Institutional innovations in Costa Rica for health knowledge
  • The role of knowledge in the East Asian economic miracle
  • The success of the Grameen Bank in providing microcredit
  • The importance of education and media in knowledge dissemination

• Figures: Illustrate trends in knowledge creation, such as:

  • R&D spending and GDP per capita
  • Cost trends in optical fiber transmission
  • Cereal yields and growth in developing regions

• Tables: Provide statistical data on:

  • Education levels and economic outcomes
  • Information and telecommunications penetration
  • Financial structures and institutional effectiveness

Conclusion

The report underscores the central role of knowledge in development and calls for a new perspective on how to address the challenges faced by developing countries. It argues that both knowledge gaps and information problems must be tackled through policy reforms, institutional strengthening, and international cooperation. By doing so, developing countries can harness the power of knowledge to improve economic growth, social well-being, and poverty reduction.