Bill Easterly spoke at University of Minnesota this week in promotion of his new book Tyranny of Experts.
His main point is demonstrated above. The technical solutions to development have been known for a long time; poverty is not a shortage of experts, its a shortage of rights. He insists that the focus on action, plans and metrics overlooks ideas and creativity.
Apparently, pyrethoids, Vitamin A, terraces and boreholes have been proposed solutions to malaria, malnutrition, soil erosion and water sanitation since 1938.
While Easterly's criticism on the oversight of human rights in development is not particularly new, he is well positioned to make the claim so publicly. Only an economist who worked at the World Bank for sixteen years, published two other (more technical) books about poverty, and worked as associate editor at three academic journals on development economics can put up a completely blank screen and call that his aid reform recommendations.
Provocative, interesting and quite pleasant in person.
His main point is demonstrated above. The technical solutions to development have been known for a long time; poverty is not a shortage of experts, its a shortage of rights. He insists that the focus on action, plans and metrics overlooks ideas and creativity.
Apparently, pyrethoids, Vitamin A, terraces and boreholes have been proposed solutions to malaria, malnutrition, soil erosion and water sanitation since 1938.
While Easterly's criticism on the oversight of human rights in development is not particularly new, he is well positioned to make the claim so publicly. Only an economist who worked at the World Bank for sixteen years, published two other (more technical) books about poverty, and worked as associate editor at three academic journals on development economics can put up a completely blank screen and call that his aid reform recommendations.
Provocative, interesting and quite pleasant in person.
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