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Used Clothes As Development Aid: The political economy of rags

Author

Listed:
  • Wicks, Rick

    (Department of Economics, School of Economics and Commercial Law, Göteborg University)

  • Bigsten, Arne

    (Department of Economics, School of Economics and Commercial Law, Göteborg University)

Abstract

Should Swedish used-clothes exports continue to be subsidized as development aid? Theoretical analysis and review of empirical evidence regarding effects of both commercial and charitable (subsidized) used-clothes imports in LDCs. Includes statistics on the world used-clothes trade, including 127 gross used-clothes- exporting countries and 181 importing countries in 1990 (with values, weights, average prices, and weights-per-capita), and some specifics of U.S. and Swedish imports and exports. Discussion of images of the trade in labor and popular media; trends in national trade policies and practices; NGO attitudes and involvement; similar issues with food aid; and excerpts regarding the trade in 18th century Britain. Conclusion: Greater benefits are possible for poor people with a more imaginative approach. Poor people who need clothes need many things. Used clothes can be sold and the proceeds used, along with erstwhile subsidy funds, for income-generating projects. A possible exception: if supply has broken down due to catastrophe, and clothing is not available in the market.

Suggested Citation

  • Wicks, Rick & Bigsten, Arne, 1996. "Used Clothes As Development Aid: The political economy of rags," Working Papers in Economics 17, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0017
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mesfin Bezuneh & Brady J. Deaton & George W. Norton, 1988. "Food Aid Impacts in Rural Kenya," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 70(1), pages 181-191.
    2. Ribar, David C. & Wilhelm, Mark O., 1995. "Charitable Contributions to International Relief and Development," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 48(2), pages 229-244, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Arne Bigsten & Rick Wicks, 1996. "Used‐Clothes Exports to the Third World: Economic Considerations," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 14(4), pages 379-390, December.
    2. Andrew Brooks & David Simon, 2012. "Unravelling the Relationships between Used-Clothing Imports and the Decline of African Clothing Industries," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 43(6), pages 1265-1290, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    used clothes; second-hand; imports; exports; LDCs; development aid;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O20 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - General

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