Public Policy Responses to Development-Induced Population Displacements

Population Displacements Michael M Cernea The forced displacement of populations caused by many infrastructural development programmes epitomises one category of disruptive changes that may occur as by-products of economic growth. Now should adverse consequences of development programmes be treated? What are the actual response patterns that can be distinguished, encouraged or rejected? This article addresses the roles and actual responses of mainly, though not exclusively two of the key social actors that participate in this process, namely, social scientists and governments. Population displacement calls for structured public policy responses as well as for continuous attention from social scientists.