VoxDev Development Economics
S4 Ep34: The past, present and future of development economics
Aug 28, 2024
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.
38:34
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Quick takeaways
- 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.
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