F1ID 5015 - Country Development Strategies

This course takes a practical approach to how low-growth countries – especially Low-Income (GNI per capita <$1,136) or Lower Middle-Income ($1,136 to $4,515) – can raise their economic growth. Both private investment and public investment (e.g., in health, education, infrastructure) are important. For public investment, a government needs sufficient cash (e.g., from taxes, other revenues, or borrowing). Drawing on economists Hausmann, Rodrik, and Velasco (HRV), the 1st half of this course focuses on some possible binding constraints to private investment (anti-competitive behavior, bad regulation, fiscal mismanagement, low credit access, weak human capital, or poor infrastructure) and credible technical responses. Implementation of technical responses often fails, however, because of government incapacity, corruption, or domestic conflict – issues addressed in the 2nd half of this course, along with donor roles. A 12-page Country Development Strategy (CDS) course paper will give each 2-student team practice in identifying binding constraints to economic growth, credible technical responses, and workarounds to real-world implementation issues.

Learning Outcomes
1. An ability to identify binding constraints on economic growth;
2. Greater knowledge about market failures; government mis-regulation; fiscal management; access to bank credit; management of public health, education, and infrastructure; anti-corruption reforms; conflict resolution; government capacity-building; and donor programs;
3. Skill in assessing political-economy issues that may impede implementation of technical solutions, and identifying feasible workaround responses; and
4. Practice in integrating technical analyses, recommendations, and political-economy considerations into a credible & coherent Country Development Strategy

Professional Skills
Situational assessment; strategic analysis; professional writing; debating issues; and team work

William Peter MAKO

Séminaire

English

- Attendance: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 10 hours a week / 60 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 11 hours a week / 66 hours a semester

The student should be able to understand a supply and demand graph.

Spring 2024-2025

• Mid-term exam: 45%
• 2-student team course paper: 45%
• Class participation: 10%

This course's 2-hour classes will average about 70% lecture and 30% class discussion. In-class discussion will include 7 short case studies plus general discussion