Category Archives: Development Economics
The Intangible Wealth of Nations
A few months ago, the White House released its “New Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa,” which contains four key bullets summarizing its approach. The first, and most important, goal is one that has been a pillar of American foreign policy for … Continue reading
Kenya Enacts Bad Immigration Policy
Today, the Nairobi ex-pats are riled up about a new policy restricting immigration for young and low-skilled workers in Kenya. Here is the story: Kenya has shut the door on foreigners seeking permits for jobs that pay less than Sh168,000 … Continue reading
Posted in Development Economics
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What Do I Think of Agriculture Development? Pt. 3
The following is part three of a three-part post on agriculture economic development. Read part two here. Aid, as I have discussed in this blog, is one of the three D’s of foreign policy: defense, diplomacy, and development. It is … Continue reading
Posted in Agriculture, Development Economics
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What Do I Think of Agriculture Development? Pt. 2
This is part two of a three-part post on agriculture economic development. Read part one here. In the previous post, I explained my experience working in agriculture. In this one, I will talk more generally about the challenges of agriculture … Continue reading
What Do I Think of Agriculture Development? Pt. 1
This is part one of a three-part post on agriculture economic development. After the better part of a year working for Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), a microfinance institution in the Philippines, I decided to head west again – … Continue reading
Posted in Agriculture, Development Economics
Tagged advance, engineers without borders, ghana, market facilitation, technoserve, USAID
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Luck of the Draw: Poverty and Success
A few weeks ago, the class of 2012 graduated from university and stepped out into the world. And one commencement speech, in particular, has been attracting a lot of attention for its candor and unexpected message: that the success of … Continue reading
Posted in Development Economics
Tagged luck and success, lucky, michael lewis, michael lewis commencement, princeton speech, success
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What Do I think of Nairobi?
When you live abroad, you are, with certain key exceptions, surrounded by people with a similar zest for seeing things differently. This is particularly true for places that are either particularly off the beaten path or destinations for people whose … Continue reading
How to Break Into Development, pt. 2
This is part one of a two-part post on getting involved in international development work. Read part one here. Trying to answer these questions – at first in vain, and, a few years later, more successfully – helped me so … Continue reading
How to Break Into Development, Pt. 1
This is part one of a two-part post on getting involved in international development work. Read part two here. One day back in May 2009, I was sitting at my desk at my office on Boylston Street in downtown Boston … Continue reading
Posted in Development Economics
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Should You Pay a Bribe?
Around the world, money talks. In some places, it speaks in a whisper; in others, it is like your humble correspondent at a party after one too many dark and stoney’s – loud and obnoxious. And in Kenya, many, if … Continue reading
Posted in Development Economics, Social Enterprise
Tagged bribery, corruption, corruption in kenya
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