Political Economy of Development

Catalog description

This course introduces the political economy of development. In 1776, the Scottish philosopher Adam Smith published "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations." In this course, we will follow in the footsteps of Smith and, through readings and class discussions, strive to understand why some countries are rich while others remain poor. The answers are far from obvious. Through our joint exploration of selected research from economics, political science, and beyond, we will seek to understand why development varies across nations. Along the way, we will grapple with important questions, such as: What is the role of political institutions in economic development? What role does democracy play? Is present-day development a historical legacy? Are natural resources a blessing or a curse? Or, is foreign aid the solution to the problems of the developing world?