Making Policy in International Development

About

This module deals with the empirical reality, theory and current governance problems of development, poverty and inequality.

Throughout the module we will investigate the influence of colonialism, state capacity, regime type, war and conflict, accountability, social structures and corruption on development.

The module engages with both economic theory regarding development and political science research that highlights the challenges to implementing the policies that would lead to economic development.

We will take these theories and use them to then think about and develop research-informed policies that promote development.

Week one
What is development and why is it so elusive?
The poverty trap(s)
Historical and colonial legacies

Week two
Experiments and randomized controlled trials: cutting edge approaches to development
The strength of the state: weak, strong and too strong
Democracy and development: is democracy really the solution to poverty/inequality?

Week three
Accountability, clientelism, corruption
Gender, ethnicity and development
The aid debate: is foreign aid effective? Comparing and contrasting approaches of the East and West

Course leader

Dr. Adam Harris

Course aim

This module aims to:

- Introduce you to the main debates in the political economy of development field and the various strategies and policies to promote development.
- Teach you how to critically apply different theoretical perspectives and empirical findings on development to a range of contemporary substantive issues that are relevant to international public policy and development.
- Identify possible policy responses to the core challenges to development in the world today.

Fee info