Ep. 19: RTE (The Right to Education)

In 'Poor Economics,' Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo present a detailed analysis of the lives of the poor, challenging common assumptions about poverty. They use evidence from numerous randomized control trials to explain why the poor make certain choices, such as borrowing to save or missing out on free immunizations. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the daily decisions and constraints faced by the poor and argues that small, well-designed interventions can lead to significant improvements in their lives. It also highlights the role of behavioral economics and the need for policy changes based on empirical evidence rather than grand generalizations or ideologies.