AØKA08087U Advanced Development Economics (Macro Aspects)

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc in Economics
Content

The readings for the course is journal articles and recent working papers. Accordingly, the precise content of the course, in terms of required readings, will vary from time to time. But the course consistently covers three broad themes:

Theme 1. The Historical Origins of Comparative Development
It is increasingly understood that it is impossible to account for the vast income differences we see across countries without an understanding of the differential timing of the take-off to sustained growth, which occurred first some two hundred years ago in the Western world. This event is sometimes referred to as "the industrial revolution". As all countries did not venture onto a trajectory of sustained growth at the same time, income gaps emerged, thus shaping contemporary comparative development. This part of the course will therefore discuss the forces which has kept economies in a state of stagnation for the bulk of human history, and by extension, how economies ultimately are released from stagnation.

Theme 2. Fundamental Determinants of productivity
2A. Climate and Geography
2B. Institutions
2C. Culture

Why didn’t all countries take-off at the same time? Or, to put it differently, why did the "industrial revolution" not diffuse rapidly across the world as a whole? Why did some countries, post take-off, not manage to catch-up?
At the proximate level the answer to the latter question is suggested by existing growth models (such as the Solow-Swan model and extensions): some countries are simply not able to accumulate capital (physical and human), adopt new ideas, and ensure a high degree of macroeconomic efficiency as others. But why is that? If policy is part of the story, why do some countries apparently impose growth hampering policies? If low savings is part of an answer, why do citizens of some countries display more "thriftiness" than citizen's of other countries? Etc.
This part of the course discusses a recent body of literature, which seeks an answer in slow-moving country specific characteristics: Climate/Geography, Culture and Institutions. That is, differences in these three dimensions are critical in understanding both the differential timing of the take-off and the post take-off convergence process.
Our journey through the literature will also reveal important debates, which have played out (and, in many cases, are on-going) such as: does greater longevity lead to higher income? Does trade lead to growth? Are the formal rules of the game of an economy (i.e., things like property right protection) important to growth once we take into account that the informal rules of the game differ across countries (i.e., norms, values and tastes; things like trust, cultural valuation of skills and wealth and so forth)?

Theme 3. Policy debates: Aid effectivess
A key development policy tool is foreign aid. But how effective has foreign aid been in fostering growth and development?

Learning Outcome

Aims for this course is:

  • To provide students with an understanding of the causes of global patterns of growth and development
  • To allow students to understand structural features of less developed economies and relevant economic modelling.
  • To give students an understanding of policies to promote growth and development.

By the end of the course the students should be able to:

  • Have a broad appreciation of important papers in the literature relevant to macroeconomic problems of less developed countries.
  • Apply their knowledge of econometrics to articles that conduct quantitative analysis in less developed countries.
  • Solve theoretical models in the area, as well as be able to provide intuition for central mechanisms and assess the models? empirical predictions
  • Appreciate some of the key debates among economists and how they relate to contemporary policy issues
  • Have the background training needed to function as a trained economist working on the problems of less developed countries in an international organization, business environment, government or non-governmental organization

The readings for the course is journal articles and recent working papers. Accordingly, the precise content of the course, in terms of required readings, will vary from time to time. But the course consistently covers three broad themes:”

Macroeconomics and Econometrics equivalent to the B.Sc.
3 hours of lectures per week for 14 weeks
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 3
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 161
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 3 hours under invigilation
A 3 hours written examination taking place at Peter Bangs Vej 36.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
100 % censurship
Exam period
Will be updated before the start of the semester
Re-exam
Same as ordinary. But if only a few students have registered for the re-exam, the exam might change to an oral exams with a synopsis to be handed in. This means that the examination date also will change.
Criteria for exam assesment
The Student must in a satisfactory way demonstrate that he/she has mastered the learning outcome of the course.