Comments on: Microfinance wins the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/microfinance-wins-the-2006-nobel-peace-prize/ Critiquing the Politics, Policy & Practice of Development Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:45:11 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Al Gore Does Not Deserve the Nobel Peace Prize at The Discomfort Zone http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/microfinance-wins-the-2006-nobel-peace-prize/comment-page-1/#comment-93287 Al Gore Does Not Deserve the Nobel Peace Prize at The Discomfort Zone Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:18:41 +0000 http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/the-nobel-peace-prize-2006-goes-to-yunus/#comment-93287 [...] peace. Never mind that the link between microfinance and poverty alleviation is tenous at best, I cheered nonetheless because Yunus has made other significant contributions, not least of which is to prove [...] [...] peace. Never mind that the link between microfinance and poverty alleviation is tenous at best, I cheered nonetheless because Yunus has made other significant contributions, not least of which is to prove [...]

]]> By: Microfinance: Not a Development Tool, Then What? - The Discomfort Zone http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/microfinance-wins-the-2006-nobel-peace-prize/comment-page-1/#comment-42103 Microfinance: Not a Development Tool, Then What? - The Discomfort Zone Mon, 01 Jan 2007 07:20:40 +0000 http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/the-nobel-peace-prize-2006-goes-to-yunus/#comment-42103 [...] When the Nobel Prize was announced, I had suggested that the true contribution of Yunus was to prove that social norms can replace commercial contracts, in order to reach the poor. This is still true, but that does not imply that microfinance is the only, or even the best way to organize social groups to address the lack of market rules. [...] [...] When the Nobel Prize was announced, I had suggested that the true contribution of Yunus was to prove that social norms can replace commercial contracts, in order to reach the poor. This is still true, but that does not imply that microfinance is the only, or even the best way to organize social groups to address the lack of market rules. [...]

]]> By: Formal Business through Informal Means: Targeting the BoP - The Discomfort Zone http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/microfinance-wins-the-2006-nobel-peace-prize/comment-page-1/#comment-41357 Formal Business through Informal Means: Targeting the BoP - The Discomfort Zone Wed, 29 Nov 2006 08:52:12 +0000 http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/the-nobel-peace-prize-2006-goes-to-yunus/#comment-41357 [...] These cases show the way, if large formal businesses are to turn the BoP from a potential to a real market. It is also interesting to note that two of the three cases copy the microfinance business model to solve that problem. As I had noted previously, Yunus’ contribution - for which he deserves real credit - was not so much towards poverty alleviation, but rather in his proving that business can flourish without formal laws. [...] [...] These cases show the way, if large formal businesses are to turn the BoP from a potential to a real market. It is also interesting to note that two of the three cases copy the microfinance business model to solve that problem. As I had noted previously, Yunus’ contribution – for which he deserves real credit – was not so much towards poverty alleviation, but rather in his proving that business can flourish without formal laws. [...]

]]> By: Maurice http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/microfinance-wins-the-2006-nobel-peace-prize/comment-page-1/#comment-41317 Maurice Tue, 17 Oct 2006 06:28:29 +0000 http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/the-nobel-peace-prize-2006-goes-to-yunus/#comment-41317 At the risk of making myself unpopular: I find the choice of Yunus for the Nobel Peace prize a little confusing. No doubt, Yunus has made a remarkable contribution to poverty alleviation and development, both directly and through the philosophy that he has but into practice. But is this the most significant contribution to peace that world could come up with? The link between poverty and war is there, but I would claim that it is much stronger, the other way around (that war causes poverty). Poverty is a problem that should be everyone's concern, because it is a problem in its own right. But to claim that Yunus' work is one of the most important contributions to world PEACE, is a bit of a stretch, and a misrepresentation of what the man stands for. At the risk of making myself unpopular: I find the choice of Yunus for the Nobel Peace prize a little confusing. No doubt, Yunus has made a remarkable contribution to poverty alleviation and development, both directly and through the philosophy that he has but into practice.

But is this the most significant contribution to peace that world could come up with? The link between poverty and war is there, but I would claim that it is much stronger, the other way around (that war causes poverty). Poverty is a problem that should be everyone’s concern, because it is a problem in its own right. But to claim that Yunus’ work is one of the most important contributions to world PEACE, is a bit of a stretch, and a misrepresentation of what the man stands for.

]]> By: Alex M Thomas http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/microfinance-wins-the-2006-nobel-peace-prize/comment-page-1/#comment-41315 Alex M Thomas Mon, 16 Oct 2006 15:35:14 +0000 http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/the-nobel-peace-prize-2006-goes-to-yunus/#comment-41315 Microfinance can definitely help in reducing inequalities and the award has been bestowed to the right person for a great contribution. Microfinance can definitely help in reducing inequalities and the award has been bestowed to the right person for a great contribution.

]]> By: Genevieve http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/microfinance-wins-the-2006-nobel-peace-prize/comment-page-1/#comment-41312 Genevieve Fri, 13 Oct 2006 22:18:04 +0000 http://www.planetd.org/2006/10/13/the-nobel-peace-prize-2006-goes-to-yunus/#comment-41312 Hi Dweep-- i don't know how i found your blog exactly-- i was mining around the web and I stumbled on it...I think i was reading other blogs on Yunus winning the Peace Prize and one linked to yours! Pure accident! Anyway thanks for the comment! It's always nice to be read, right? :-) Oh and the research idea will evolve, trust me. Your comments, critiques, caveats are always welcome. Keep in touch. I'll check back-- you have some thought-provoking stuff on your site. Thanks for the great reads! -Gen Hi Dweep–

i don’t know how i found your blog exactly– i was mining around the web and I stumbled on it…I think i was reading other blogs on Yunus winning the Peace Prize and one linked to yours! Pure accident! Anyway thanks for the comment! It’s always nice to be read, right? :-) Oh and the research idea will evolve, trust me. Your comments, critiques, caveats are always welcome.

Keep in touch. I’ll check back– you have some thought-provoking stuff on your site. Thanks for the great reads! -Gen

]]>