The world bank is trying to serve two missions, and it can't do both. One is a diplomatic function, which i think is very important. The promise is that that kind of diplomatic function is inconsistent with the function of being a provider of scientific insight. I think the diplomacy is its unique, you know, comparative advantage. So therefore, i ain't got to get out of the scientific business. It should just outsource its research. And it should just be transparent about what it can be goot at and is goot at....
Paul Romer makes his second appearance to discuss the failings of economics, how his mass testing plan for COVID-19 would work, what aspects of epidemiology concern him, how the FDA is slowing a better response, his ideas for reopening schools and Major League Baseball, where he agrees with Weyl’s test plan, why charter cities need a new name, what went wrong with Honduras, the development trajectory for sub-Saharan Africa, how he’d reform the World Bank, the underrated benefits of a culture of science, his heartening takeaway about human nature from his experience at Burning Man, and more.
Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.
Recorded May 13th, 2020 Other ways to connect