Does Religion Affect Economic Growth and Happiness? Evidence from Ramadan
We study the economic effects of religious practices in the context of the observance of Ramadan fasting, one of the central tenets of Islam.
Research
Maintaining Local Public Goods: Evidence from Rural Kenya
Political Scientists have produced a substantial body of theory and evidence that explains variation in the availability of local public goods in developing countries. Existing research cannot explain
A World of Cities: The Causes and Consequences of Urbanization in Poorer Countries
Historically, urban growth required enough development to grow and transport significant agricultural surpluses or a government effective enough to build an empire.
The Sum Is Greater Than The Parts: Doubling Shared Prosperity in Indonesia Through Local and Global Integration
The government of Indonesia’s primary development objective is to join the ranks of upper middle-income countries by 2025.
South Sudan’s Capability Trap: Building a State with Disruptive Innovation
The prevailing aid orthodoxy works well enough in stable environments, but is ill-equipped to navigate contexts of volatility and fragility.
Truth-telling by Third-party Auditors and the Response of Polluting Firms: Experimental Evidence from India
In many regulated markets, private, third-party auditors are chosen and paid by the firms that they audit, potentially creating a conflict of interest.
Review of Poor Numbers: How We Are Misled by African Development Statistics and What to Do About It
Conflicts Over Land and Threats to Customary Tenure in Africa Today
The currently intense debate about ‘land grabs’ or ‘land investment’ in Africa has reinforced the significance of relations around land on the continent.
Does the Classic Microfinance Model Discourage Entrepreneurship among the Poor? Experimental Evidence from India
Do the repayment requirements of the classic microfinance contract inhibit investment in high-return but illiquid business opportunities among the poor?
Promoting Millennium Development Ideals: The Risks of Defining Development Down
The approach of 2015, the target date of the Millennium Development Goals, sets the stage for a global reengagement on the question of “what is development?” We argue that the post-2015 development fr
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