Trade liberalisation, poverty and livelihoods : understanding the linkages

A short policy briefing that examines key analytical approaches that are used to understand linkages between trade, poverty and livelihoods, to apply these to Sub-Saharan Africa. Considers the approach of 'mainstream economics' that tends to see the effects of trade liberalisation as positive, and the wider 'socio-economic livelihoods' perspective, which sees liberalisation in a less positive light. Concludes that the two approaches are incompatible in that they refer to different 'domains' of understanding. Explores three potentially promising approaches to integrate the approaches; a 'value chain' analysis that looks at inclusion or exclusion from international networks of trade and regulation; a gender perspective that considers economics as a 'gendered structure'; and a 'sustainable development perspective' that attempts to more accurately assess the environmental impact of trade liberalisation