S4 Ep34: The past, present and future of development economics
Aug 28, 2024
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Pranab Bardhan, a distinguished academic from Berkeley, shares insights from his memoir, 'Charaiveti: An Academic’s Global Journey,' reflecting on his life across India, the UK, and the US. He discusses the relevance of Marx's questions today and the lessons economists can learn from anthropologists. Bardhan contrasts governance in China and India, analyzing how local bureaucratic incentives impact development. He emphasizes the difficulties of translating theoretical policies into practice and advocates for community-driven solutions to climate change and poverty.
Pranab Bardhan emphasizes the importance of incorporating historical, political, and cultural contexts into economic research to combat narrow specialization among economists.
Through his empirical work and village surveys in India, Bardhan highlights the significance of understanding lived experiences in addressing poverty and development challenges.
Deep dives
The Concept of Charivaty
The title of the memoir, 'Charivaty', is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning 'to keep moving', specifically in the context of self-realization. The author reflects on how his own life journey across multiple countries was a path of personal growth. While some may interpret this title as a call to action for others to embark on similar global journeys, the author clarifies that it is more about his individual experiences and insights. This distinction highlights the value of diverse backgrounds in shaping perspectives in economics.
Broadening Economists' Perspectives
The discussion emphasizes the narrow specialization commonly found among economists, often limiting their outlook. The author advocates for a broader inclusion of historical, political, and cultural contexts in economic research, drawing from his own varied background of experiences. Having grown up in a poor neighborhood and studied internationally, he delivers a unique approach to economics, prioritizing understanding over solely theoretical knowledge. This approach seeks to remedy the shortsightedness prevalent in traditional economics by incorporating more holistic perspectives.
Transitioning from Theory to Practice
A pivotal moment in the author's career came when he decided to leave his position at MIT and return to India for empirical work. He recognized a significant gap in available data concerning the realities of poverty on the ground, prompting him to undertake extensive village surveys. By collecting micro-data and conducting fieldwork, he aimed to develop a richer understanding of the socio-economic conditions of the poor, which was often neglected in the broader economic discussions. This transition marked a deeper commitment to understanding the lived experiences of individuals within developing economies.
The Interplay of Institutions, Inequality, and Collective Action
The author articulates that his career has revolved around three pivotal themes: the role of institutions, inequality, and collective action in economic development. By highlighting the importance of these interconnected themes, the author provides insights into why some communities successfully navigate local challenges while others struggle. His collaboration with Eleanor Ostrom sheds light on how community governance and local commons can serve vital functions in mitigating societal issues. This perspective asserts that addressing collective action problems is essential for effective governance and development, especially in impoverished regions.
Pranab Bardhan of Berkeley has recently published a memoir called Charaiveti: An
Academic’s Global Journey. It takes in his childhood in India, and his academic
career in the UK, India and the US. The book takes in topics as diverse as whether
the questions Marx asked are still relevant today, what economists can learn from
anthropologists, what the Chinese government got right (and wrong), and the
dangers of offering policy prescriptions for places we have never visited. He talks to
Tim Phillips about the past, and the future, of development economics.