Development Economics Theory, Empirical Research, and Policy Analysis

by Schaffner, Julie

• ISBN13: 9780470599396
• ISBN10: 0470599391
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-10-07
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Development Economics: Theory, Empirical Research, and Policy Analysis by Julie Schaffner teaches students to think about development in a way that is disciplined by economic theory, informed by cutting-edge empirical research, and connected in a practical way to contemporary development efforts.  It lays out a framework for the study of developing economies that is built on microeconomic foundations and that highlights the importance in development studies of transaction and transportation costs, risk, information problems, institutional rules and norms, and insights from behavioral economics. It then presents a systematic approach to policy analysis and applies the approach to policies from around the world, in the areas of targeted transfers, workfare, agricultural markets, infrastructure, education, agricultural technology, microfinance, and health. 

Author Biography

Julie Schaffner has been involved in research, teaching and writing in the field of economic development for over 20 years. She received her Ph.D. in Economics from Yale University. She has taught undergraduate, Masters and Ph.D. level students, and has taught both in Economics departments (Stanford University, Boston University) and in a school of international affairs, The Fletcher School at Tufts University, where she was awarded the teaching prize in 2008. Her professional activities include Consultant to the World Bank and UNESCO and Advisor, Council on Faith and International Affairs.

Table of Contents

Preface

Part I: Introduction

Chapter 1: What is Development Economics Good For?   

1.1 Assessing Global Poverty and Prosperity

1.2 Defining the Development Objective      

1.3 Understanding the Development Process

1.4 Analyzing Development Policy   

1.5 This Text  

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - References

Part II: Development Objectives and the Big Picture

Chapter 2: Well-being           

2.1 Life among the Poor in Bangladesh        

2.2 A Working Definition of Well-being       

2.3 How Households in Developing Countries Pursue Well-being   

2.4 Household-level Determinants of Well-being     

2.5 Empirical Study of Well-being    

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 3: Economic Growth          

3.1 Meaning and Measurement of Economic Growth           

3.2 Global Diversity in Growth Rates           

3.3 The Proximate Sources of Economic Growth     

3.4 The Determinants of Growth       

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 4: Economic Growth Theory in Historical Perspective     

4.1 An Introduction to Theoretical Growth Models 

4.2  The 1940s and 1950s:  Capital fundamentalism, Structuralism and Dualism    

4.3 The 1960s and 1970s:  Neoclassical Perspectives, Technology and Human Capital       

4.4 The 1980s to the Present: Market Imperfections, Increasing Returns, and Poverty Traps          

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 5: Poverty, Inequality and Vulnerability    

5.1 Definitions and Measures

5.2 Links between Poverty, Inequality, Vulnerability and Economic Growth         

5.3 Further Motivation for Micro-Level, Context-Specific Study    

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems – References

Part III:  Analytical Framework:  Decisions, Markets and Institutions

Chapter 6: Consumption, Time Allocation and Production Choices          

6.1 Choices, Development and Development Economics     

6.2 Consumption Choices, with Application to Nutrition Policy      

6.3 Labor Supply Choices, with Application to Child Labor

6.4 Basic Producer Theory, with Application to Green Revolution Labor Market Impacts 

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 7: Households         

7.1 Diversity in Development and Policy Analysis   

7.2 Unitary Household Theories:  From “Consumers,” “Labor Suppliers” and “Producers” to “Households”        

7.3 Non-Unitary Household Theories: From Simple Utility Maximization to Cooperation and Conflict    

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 8: Domestic Markets for Goods and Services        

8.1 Markets in Developing Countries

8.2 Transfer Costs      

8.3 A Model of Market Equilibrium in the Presence of Transfer Costs        

8.4 The Economics of Market Development 

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems – References

Appendix 8A: Comparative Advantage and the Gains from Market Exchange[j1] 

Chapter 9: Labor Markets    

9.1 Labor Markets and Development

9.2 Multidimensional Work Arrangements and Worker Well-being 

9.3 Mobility in Developing Country Labor Markets 

9.4 Skill Acquisition in Developing Country Labor Markets

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References  

Chapter 10: Investment and Financial Markets      

10.1 Investment, Financial Markets and Development         

10.2 Private Investment Decisions    

10.3 Financial Markets, Financial Constraints and Development     

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References  

Chapter 11: International Markets and General Equilibrium        

11.1 Globalization and Development

11.2 Partial Equilibrium Model of International Trade, with Application to Export Expansion      

11.3 General Equilibrium Models of Trade, Production Structure and Income Distribution           

11.4 Trade, Investment, Innovation and Economic Growth 

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 12: Institutions and Cooperation    

12.1 Institutions, Cooperation and Development      

12.2 Cooperation and Institutions: Key Concepts from Game Theory and Behavioral Economics 

12.3 Economic Analysis of Community-level Institutions    

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 13: Policy, Governance and Political Economy    

13.1 Policy, Governance, Politics and Development 

13.2 Intervention Rationales and Policy Design       

13.3 Good Governance of Policy Implementation    

13.4 The Political Economy of Development

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Part IV:  Policy Analysis Approach and Applications

Chapter 14: Policy Analysis  

14.1 Policy Analysis Concepts and Objectives         

14.2 Seven Questions to Guide Policy Analytic Research    

14.3 Putting the Seven Questions to Work   

Questions for Review – References

Chapter 15: Targeted Transfer Programs    

 

15.1 Targeted Transfer Programs in Developing Countries               

15.2 The Economics of Targeted Transfer Program Participation and Impacts        

15.3 Evaluating Targeted Transfer Programs

15.4 Analyzing Transfer Program Design Questions 

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 16: Workfare           

16.1 Workfare in Developing Countries        

16.2 The Economics of Workfare Program Participation      

16.3 Workfare Program Evaluation and Design Questions   

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 17: Agricultural Market Interventions and Reforms         

17.1 Developing Country Government Intervention in Agricultural Markets          

17.2 The Economics of Agricultural Market Intervention and Reform        

17.3 Analyzing the Benefits and Costs of Agricultural Market Reforms     

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References
Chapter 18: Infrastructure Policies and Programs  

18.1 Infrastructure in Developing Countries 

18.2 The Economics of Infrastructure Service Use and Supply        

18.3 Evaluating Infrastructure Programs and Design Changes         

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References  

Chapter 19: Education

19.1 Education in Developing Countries                   

19.2 The Economics of Primary and Secondary Education in Developing Countries          

19.3 Evaluating Education Policy Reforms   

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 20: Agricultural Research and Extension  

20.1 Technical Change in Developing Country Agriculture  

20.2 The Economics of Technical Change in Agriculture     

20.3 Agricultural Research and Extension Policy Design and Evaluation    

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 21: Microfinance     

21.1 Microfinance in developing countries                

21.2 The Economics of Microcredit  

21.3 Evaluation and Design of Microcredit Programs          

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Chapter 22: Public Health, Health Care and Health Insurance     

22.1 Health and Health Policy in Developing Countries       

22.2 Economic Analysis of Programs Promoting Health Input Use 

22.3 The Economics of Health Insurance Programs  

Questions for Review - Questions for Discussion - Problems - References

Appendix A: Interpreting and Evaluating Empirical Evidence      

A.1 Empirical Research Questions    

A.2 Measuring Variables       

A.3 Estimating Means, Proportions and Other Population Distribution Parameters 

A.4 Estimating Causal Effects          

References

Appendix B: Glossary

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 [j1]Not sure how to format this chapter appendix within the TOC