Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking Of The Way To Fight Global Poverty (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
What happens when a government or NGO infuses large sums into a third world country? The answer -- lots happens. If there is a poor governmental or regulatory structure, some persons become inordinately wealthy by siphoning off funds, some organizations benefit at least for the short term, sometimes important changes begin within the country. How can one predict which will happen? That is what the book is about. Banerjee reviews his own research and that of others to respond to the question. He finds the results range from harmful to the economy and social welfare to enduring cultural improvements in economy, human rights, and health and welfare of the population. A lot to think about with this book. I think Banerjee and Duflo make a persuasive case against culture of poverty theory; my favorite thing about the book is their conviction that poor people are not simply lazy and irrational but rather tend to find rational and innovative solutions to the difficulties they encounter. Their use of evidence from randomized controlled trials was also illuminating, especially in relation to certain solutions, such as microcredit lending, that have been presented as magic bullets in the fight against poverty.I would have appreciated more reflection on the causes of poverty, though I can appreciate that this may have been outside the scope of the book. I also thought Banerjee and Duflo could have given more thought to the potential portability of certain ideas and programs among developed and developing countries. I'd love to know more about how their ideas would work out closer to home. Overall, this was an interesting and provocative book on an important topic.
What do You think about Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking Of The Way To Fight Global Poverty (2011)?
A pretty solid introduction to how to debunk common held believes about people living in poverty.
—sammiegutierrez35
Good Research .. Good References .. Properly Stated objective .. A goodread
—chaunyy
This is a must read book. Provoking, well-written, and essential read.
—KJM
Heading in the right direction, but not there yet.
—jessica18
