Topics in International Development

2 Credits.

This course serves as a broad introduction to development and integrates economic, political and social dimensions. It introduces students to the multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary nature of development so that they may acquire a better understanding of the theoretical and practical debates around development. The course is underpinned by a discussion of factors driving economic growth and the distribution of income. The prominent role of institutional arrangements is explored including debates about the roles of state, markets and firms. Discussion of the role of individual motives and trust lays the basis for debates on social capital and civil society as well as corruption. Specific examples illustrate the debates such as micro-finance, the provision of healthcare and education, or support for small and medium enterprises. At the same time the examples shed light on popular debates about the “bottom of the pyramid,” “public private partnerships.” or “impact investing.”