Does economic reform harm the environment? A review of structural adjustment in Malawi

The authors propose a simple structured approach to analysing the environmental effects of economic reform, which they believe offers a more powerful analytic framework to researchers and policy‐makers in this important area. The case study is Malawi, which during the last decade has implemented several Structural Adjustment Programmes and related reforms. Focusing on the estate sector and small farmers, the authors describe essential features of Malawi and its environment, review the relevant exogenous and structural problems, and assess the environmental impact of the various reform measures undertaken. By focusing on four dimensions—spatial extent (extensive frontier), scale of production, product mix and technique of production— the authors are able to come to rather more sharply‐focused conclusions than previous similar studies.