This graph is very interesting. It tracks the degree of political polarization over time and plots it against the Gini coefficient, which is a measure of income inequality in a country. Develop Economies frequently references the Gini coefficient when discussing repressive kleptocratic regimes in Africa like Equatorial Guinea. Only recently, Read more…
This is part two of a two-part post about amateurs vs. professional in aid and development. In my experience, development professionals tend to be a jaded and cynical bunch, but also eternally optimistic, well-meaning, and principled. In one post, a blogger who writes “Good Intentions are Not Enough” (another blog Read more…
This is part one of a two-part post about the role of amateurs and professionals in aid and development. The other day, Develop Economies was asked to move to a different table at the iHub because a European government aid agency would be holding a workshop on gender equality. Grudgingly, he moved. Read more…
This is part two of a two-part post about the Obama administration’s approach to foreign policy and military intervention in Africa and the Middle East. The other day I discussed the first four points of Obama’s approach to military intervention – be effective, follow international law, put no American troops Read more…
This is part one of a two-part post about the Obama administration’s approach to foreign policy and military intervention in Africa and the Middle East. In an article titled “Inside Obama’s War Room” published in Rolling Stone this month, Michael Hasting discusses the series of decisions and actions that preceded Read more…
The Pew Research Center just released a report detailing the foreign policy views of democrats, republicans, and tea partiers. Much of it is what you would expect. For tea partiers the U.S. needs to be strong on defense and Israel, tough on China, say no to illegal immigration (94% support Read more…
This is a guest post from Ben Lyon, co-founder and VP of business development of Kopo-Kopo, a Nairobi-based software company enabling enterprises to accept mobile payments. A scan of tech investor blogs reveals two conflicting sentiments: 1) when the bubble bursts, the industry will come to a grinding halt, and 2) Read more…
