Category Archives: Development thinking

I think Chris Blattman recent post on “fear” which got a lot of reposts, represents sort of exactly why some people are dubious of the micro-evaluation randomista approach.  The way any normal person reads Chris’s post, is that he is … Continue reading →

HT: Brian Lance

Gov. Alejandro García Padilla of Puerto Rico has offered a comprehensive proposal for reversing the territory’s downward spiral. Unlike prior proposals, which focused solely on restructuring Puerto Rico’s debt or cutting its spending, the new plan recognizes the urgent need … Continue reading →

Indeed, about half of the more than 50 countries in the African Union have presidents, prime ministers or monarchs who have been in power longer than Mr. Obama, some of them for decades. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has ruled Equatorial … Continue reading →

Worth reading in full.  Not new insight, but very nicely written. In order to change the behaviour of the poor, one must first understand it. It is this understanding that behavioural economics promises to codify into knowledge. To be sure, … Continue reading →

If you can get past the deadline induced sloppy writing, there is a lot worth reading. It is almost criminal to have this as a topic.  A great example of the difference between writing technically (where author and reader share … Continue reading →

“You have groups which are as genetically distinct as Europeans and East Asians. And they’re living side by side for thousands of years.” via DNA Deciphers Roots of Modern Europeans – NYTimes.com.

On the one hand, the reporter sings the praises on Dr. Jim Yong Kim.  On the other hand, there are passages like this: In July, as the epidemic was worsening, Dr. Kim fired off emails to other global health leaders. … Continue reading →

So you lazy reporter (Jad Mouawad, the friggin “airline correspondent”), you can’t actually name a single member of Congress  or the administration who wants a travel ban.  Why write the article?  Why push to get it on the front page?  … Continue reading →

The paper was published in AJAE earlier this year. Abstract of paper: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the social sciences are typically not double-blind, so participants know they are “treated” and will adjust their behavior accordingly. Such effort responses complicate … Continue reading →

For me, this was the relevant paragraph.  My friends in Burkina Faso are well aware of the implications. Instead, the virus was allowed to escape the first village, and then to spread into four more countries. That missed opportunity has … Continue reading →

Bruce Wydick has a new book out, a novel with a development economics theme, The Taste of Many Mountains, byHarperCollins imprint Thomas Nelson.  Here is Bruce’s blurb: The book is based on the true story of a group of graduate … Continue reading →

In setting up her task force to deal with the Ebola threat, President Sirleaf says: “We must come together as never before despite of our political, religious and social persuasions, we must show a deep sense of nationalism. We must … Continue reading →

How are you not narcissistic when criticizing your former narcissist self? Voluntourism organizations don’t have to advertise, because they can crowdsource. Photography—particularly the habit of taking and posting selfies with local children—is a central component of the voluntourism experience. Hashtags … Continue reading →

Have to side with Sachs on this one… Russ Roberts is full of shit when interviewing development people… he either (a) has no idea about anything that happens in Africa or (b) pretends to not know anything… he’s like a … Continue reading →