Category: Development

Development, International

Foreign Aid: The Double-Edged Sword

The coronavirus pandemic, dubbed the ‘Inequality Virus’, will push a further 150 million people globally into poverty by the end of 2021. The pandemic’s negative repercussions have been worst felt in low-income countries (LICs), where they have been described as ‘a serious setback to development progress’. Foreign aid has been at the forefront of supporting developing countries for many years, reaching ‘an all-time high of … Continue reading Foreign Aid: The Double-Edged Sword

Unknown's avatarAaryan HariaLeave a comment
Asia, Development, Economics, Politics

The Economic Legacy of Tokyo 2020

Tokyo 2020 was a world-first in many ways. Amidst two golden weeks, the Games bore witness to sporting history, as well as heart-warming displays of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Held when Japan was in the grip of the pandemic, these Games were the first without a live audience. They were the first games for surfing, skateboarding, and karate. They saw the first golds for nations including … Continue reading The Economic Legacy of Tokyo 2020

Unknown's avatarChenyang Li2 Comments
Development, Keynes Society Reports, Politics

Sir Tim Besley: “State Capacity and Economic Development”

The Keynes Society was delighted to virtually host Professor Sir Timothy Besley, a world-renowned economist in the field of development economics and development policy foundations. Professor Sir Besley is a professor of development economics at the London School of Economics and a fellow of All Souls College Oxford, having served on the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England and as President of the … Continue reading Sir Tim Besley: “State Capacity and Economic Development”

Unknown's avatarChenyang LiLeave a comment
Business and Technology, Development, Finance and Markets

Central Bank Digital Currencies: catalyst for financial inclusion?

Evolution of Money Traditionally, money is a metal token or a slip of paper symbolising a value of credit based upon people’s trust in it. Its three primary functions (store of value, means of exchange, and unit of measurement) have been served by constantly evolving means for 3000 years. The latest in this evolution is the digital currency. Unlike any type of currency to precede … Continue reading Central Bank Digital Currencies: catalyst for financial inclusion?

Unknown's avatarHari Nair1 Comment
Development, Finance and Markets, International, Podcast

Sovereign Wealth Funds: Asset or Liability?

A Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is a fund managed by the state and comprised of income generated from the government’s surplus reserves. SWFs have been an important aspect of the economic landscape for almost two decades, and their numbers have increased dramatically since the 2008 Financial Crisis, with over 100 funds controlling nearly $8 trillion in assets globally. Many Sovereign Wealth Funds have enjoyed great … Continue reading Sovereign Wealth Funds: Asset or Liability?

Unknown's avatarSachin ThakrarLeave a comment
Indian men watching a bonfire on the street
Asia, Development

Reaping What the Farm Bills Sow: Has Modi met his match?

According to the IMF, India has the 5th biggest economy in the world, behind the US, China, Japan and Germany. Leading its economic charge is Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, a polarising Hindu nationalist running a country encompassing a multitude of faiths, languages and cultures. Modi has a reputation for immediate action, for example in 2016 he gave four hours’ notice to invalidate high value … Continue reading Reaping What the Farm Bills Sow: Has Modi met his match?

Unknown's avatarTaran GlazebrookLeave a comment
Development, International

The Covid-19 Crisis: Emerging Markets Hang in the Balance

“All countries need to work together to protect people and limit the economic damage. This is a moment for solidarity.” Kristalina Georgieva Managing Director and Chairwoman of the IMF The COVID-19 crisis has already left some of the world’s most advanced economies in dire straits. News outlets have been quick to cover the stringent lockdowns and plummeting markets of the developed world. However, media coverage … Continue reading The Covid-19 Crisis: Emerging Markets Hang in the Balance

Unknown's avatarJoseph MenellLeave a comment
Development, International

Rent-seeking and Inequality

26 billionaires own as much as the world’s poorest 3.8 billion people – perhaps unsurprising given how little the poor in developing countries own. Inequality is widely accepted as not only inevitable but desirable to an extent, to incentivise innovation and productivity, but in OECD countries it is at the highest level for the past half century. Those at the top of the income and … Continue reading Rent-seeking and Inequality

Unknown's avatarAlex ManLeave a comment
Wall at world bank
Development, Interviews

An interview with Aart Kraay: Acting Head of the World Bank

I was lucky enough to be able to have a brief conversation with Aart Kraay, the acting Head Economist at the World Bank. He is Director of Research in the Developmental Research Group, and an expert on international capital movements, growth and inequality, governance, and the Chinese economy. Our discussion was largely centered around a paper, published by the World Bank in January 2020, that … Continue reading An interview with Aart Kraay: Acting Head of the World Bank

Unknown's avatarMaxwell DeLorenzoLeave a comment