This course will provide an introduction to the developmental challenges in Asia. The course will begin with introducing the distinction between concepts of economic growth and development. The course will have a strong emphasis on understanding the life and well-being of people in Asian countries through the lens of development economics. We will attempt to diagnose the causes of underdevelopment by analysing its components such as lack of sufficient access to education, savings, and nutrition, and study how these can cause the persistence of underdevelopment.
We will also look at dimensions of identity such as gender and how development policy can be designed in the presence of prejudice. Finally, we will study how the delivery of public goods and services is constrained by issues like state capacity, corruption and political institutions. Policy implications emerging from the material we have studied will be also discussed.
- To understand the factors that lead to persistence of underdevelopment in the empirical context of Asia.
- Learning how to examine the evidence on policy relevant interventions. This will involve looking at tables with statistical output. By the end of the course you should be more comfortable making inferences based on statistical output that is presented to you.
- To develop and sharpen your analytical and presentation skills by participating in class discussions and debates.
- To acquire an appreciation of the issues involved in designing and evaluating developmental policies.