This research theme focuses in an inclusive way on the developmental roles of markets and the political, infrastructure, and institutional constraints on access to public services by the rural and urban poor.

Access to markets is a major precondition for farmers and rural landless people to overcome subsistence and to enhance their individual economic situation, making them more resilient to fluctuating boundary conditions as induced by global and national changes, for instance under international trade and investment arrangements and related regulatory regimes.

The development of markets is partly related to the expansion of public services, as the latter often serve as a precondition for people to participate in markets. Among public services, particular attention is given to information, education, social transfers, insurance, and health systems.

(Photo: Till Stellmacher, Thailand)