Introduction to Development Economics: The textbook
Einführung in die Entwicklungsökonomik: Ein Lehrbuch
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Poverty & Inequality
The focus of development economics is to understand and provide policy recommendations how to reduce global poverty and inequality globally. This chapter provides answers on: How do we measure poverty and inequality? How have global poverty and inequality evolved over the last 200 years? And what are the reasons for global poverty and inequality?
Chapter 2
Economic Development
Although environmental sustainability and distributive justice are the greatest challenges for the 21st century, in low-income countries, economic growth is still necessary to reduce high poverty rates. But what exactly is economic growth? What is the impact of economic growth, on inequality and poverty? How can countries generate ecologically sustainable economic growth? And what is the role of technological change?
Chapter 3
State, Society, & Politics
The state plays a key role in development. It creates the framework conditions for the economy and is responsible for an equitable society. This chapter addresses the questions: What role does the state play in development? What are market failures? How are political decisions made? Which institutional frameworks promote efficient state action?
Chapter 4
Economic & Social Policy
Sates need to invest in sustainable development, to provide public goods, and to reduce poverty and inequalities. How can states generate financial resources for these tasks? Does it make sense to borrow capital on international financial markets when own resources are limited? How can states react to economic crises to ensure macroeconomic stability? And what are the most effective measure to reduce poverty?
Chapter 5
Population Growth, Education, & Health
In the 20th century, the world population grew from two to eight billion today. Despite falling birth rates globally, population growth is still high in several low-income countries, creating development challenges for these countries. Furthermore, the gap in education and health between low- and high-income countries is still large. Questions in this chapter are: What drives population growth? What is the relationship between population growth and economic growth? How can education and health be improved in low-income countries?
Chapter 6
Environment
Environmental and societal development are interlinked. In low-income countries, many people suffer from a range of environmental problems, from contaminated drinking water and air pollution to crop losses and malnutrition. This chapter deals with the questions: What are the problems specific to conserving the environment in a society? What is the link between environment and development? What national and international measures can protect the environment?
Chapter 7
Globalisation & Trade
Globalisation is the increasing integration of economies and cultures driven by reductions in transport and communication costs as well as the liberalisation of policies. It leads to increased cross-border movement of goodes, services, capital and people. This chapter provides initial answers to the questions: How does international trade affect global poverty? Who are the winners and losers of economic globalisation? Does “fair trade” promote a fairer global economy? What are the reasons and impacts of migration on poverty reduction?
Chapter 8
Development Cooperation
How can the global community better contribute to improving living conditions globally? Public discussions often focus on development (aid) cooperation. However, other international financial flows and policies have become more important in the fight against poverty over the last 30 years. This chapter answers the questions: What is development cooperation and how has it changed? How effective is development cooperation and what are its challenges?What is the future of international development cooperation?