In many countries in Africa and Asia, rotating savings and credit associations underpin much of the economy. This survey covers the wide range of literature on these associations. Published with Centre for Cross-Cultural Research on Women.

Recently the topic of civil society has generated a wave of interest, and a wealth of new information. Until now no publication has attempted to organize and consolidate this knowledge. The International Encyclopedia of Civil Society fills this gap, establishing a common set of understandings and terminology, and an analytical starting point for future research. Global in scope and authoritative in content, the Encyclopedia offers succinct summaries of core concepts and theories; definitions of terms; biographical entries on important figures and organizational profiles. In addition, it serves as a reliable and up-to-date guide to additional sources of information. In sum, the Encyclopedia provides an overview of the contours of civil society, social capital, philanthropy and nonprofits across cultures and historical periods. For researchers in nonprofit and civil society studies, political science, economics, management and social enterprise, this is the most systematic appraisal of a rapidly growing field.

Explores economic development, integration, and morality in economic transactions in Asia and the America. This title includes chapters that look at underground gambling behavior in China in light of that country's economic boom and retail store expansion and local socioeconomic effects in rural Mexico.

On most continents - from the USA to Africa and Asia - various forms of rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) serve men and women of the community, often as their major -- and sometimes their only -- savings institution. ROSCAs are self-help money-pooling associations with participants who agree to make regular contributions to a fund which is given, in whole or in part, to each contributor in rotation. Many ROSCAs have elaborate systems to cope with inflation, default and the distribution of benefits. In providing important social and welfare resources they constitute valuable social capital.This unique volume of case studies by an international group of experts, which examines ROSCAs on a worldwide basis, will be of interest to anyone studying or concerned with anthropology, economics, women's issues, and especially the welfare of the less developed countries and immigrant communities in 'the West'.

Savings and insurance associations are widespread not only in Ethiopia but also in its diaspora, even in countries with diversified and comprehensive formal financial institutions. The contributors to this volume give an extensive overview of these associations in Ethiopia and its diaspora and, at the same time, ask what the activities within these associations tell us about their members' future aspirations and ideas of a »good life«.