The Microfinance Marvel: Where Does Hope Meet Reality?
View/ Open
Issue Date
2010-12-15Author
Hoge, Matthew David
Publisher
University of Kansas
Format
154 pages
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
M.A.
Discipline
Latin American Studies
Rights
This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
There is an immense worldwide focus on microfinance as a means to abate poverty. What began as small loans provided to microentrepreneurs for business purposes has come to include consumer loans and other financial services for the poor, provided in an increasingly commercial environment. Microfinance has experienced rapid growth and created high expectations due to its perceived ability to produce economic benefits and lead to improvements in areas like gender relations and health and education. Microcredit has been especially useful for vulnerable, self-employed individuals working in the informal economy. However, microfinance is not an effective tool to spur economic growth on a national or even regional level, and cannot live up to the hopes it has produced. This thesis will look at important concerns and limitations related to what has become a global microfinance movement. The analysis is influenced by experiences as an intern in Paraguay with Fundación Paraguaya, a development organization that offers group and individual microloans.
Collections
Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.