NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Thursday, July 1, 2004

“[M]ost debate about poverty, development and the benefits of trade focuses on production – the supply side of the market equation. In reality, markets cannot be effective without a well organised demand side. This requires the empowerment of consumers with information, legal protection and necessary regulation (especially of essential services) to balance the interests of the providers of goods and services. If market economics and the processes of globalisation are ever to realise the widespread human benefits so regularly claimed for them, demand-side considerations must carry the same weight as supply.” Read full article here.