Topics in Macroeconomics, Development and International Economics

This class is a senior seminar that covers selected topics at the intersection of macroeconomics, economic development and international trade. The leading theme of the class is the determinants of the observed cross-country differences in income per capita and growth rates. We will consider a wide range of theories to explain such disparities in economic outcomes, with a special focus on theories that stress problems in financial markets. We will also study the role of wealth inequality. We may also cover structural change, the link between volatility, diversification and development, and selected topics in international trade.