Child mortality, commodity price volatility and the resource curse

Makhlouf, Y., Kellard, N. M. and Vinogradov, D. (2017) Child mortality, commodity price volatility and the resource curse. Social Science and Medicine, 178, pp. 144-156. (doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.01.063) (PMID:28214725)

[img]
Preview
Text
147240.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

1MB

Abstract

Given many developing economies depend on primary commodities, the fluctuations of commodity prices may imply significant effects for the wellbeing of children. To investigate, this paper examines the relationship between child mortality and commodity price movements as reflected by country-specific commodity terms-of-trade. Employing a panel of 69 low and lower-middle income countries over the period 1970–2010, we show that commodity terms-of-trade volatility increases child mortality in highly commodity-dependent importers suggesting a type of ‘scarce’ resource curse. Strikingly however, good institutions appear able to mitigate the negative impact of volatility. The paper concludes by highlighting this tripartite relationship between child mortality, volatility and good institutions and posits that an effective approach to improving child wellbeing in low to lower-middle income countries will combine hedging, import diversification and improvement of institutional quality.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Vinogradov, Professor Dmitri
Authors: Makhlouf, Y., Kellard, N. M., and Vinogradov, D.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Accounting and Finance
Journal Name:Social Science and Medicine
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0277-9536
ISSN (Online):0277-9536
Published Online:01 February 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 Elsevier
First Published:First published in Social Science and Medicine 178:144-156
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record