B2169 - LONG-RUN DEVELOPMENT: THEORY AND EMPIRICS

Learning outcomes

This is a graduate-level course in growth economics and long term development. The course presents a detailed analysis of the state of the art research on long run growth in both a time series and a cross-country perspective. Topics include theoretical and empirical analysis of the fundamental determinants of economic growth from a multi-disciplinary perspective. The course focuses attention, in particular, on the role of economic and political institutions, geography and demography. By the end of the course the student will acquire theoretical and empirical tools that allow him/her to get a deep understanding of the recent literature, to build his/her own critical views, and to start undertaking original research in the field.

Course contents

The course is organized into two conceptual blocks. The first part introduces the main facts of long-run cross country development in multiple dimensions. These include in particular economic, demographic, and political development. As a first step, we present the theoretical fundamentals and existing arguments put forwards to study these dynamics in the different domains ant their interactions. We discuss existing evidence starting from reduced form empirical evidence derived from cross country panel data. We then push the view towards the state of the art recent research that aims at understanding the evolution of comparative development in history with the use of disaggregated historical data and multiple methods including also quantitative and structural estimation analysis.

During the course we will present research articles that will be selected on topics also accounting for the specific interests of enrolled students. 

Understanding of basic theory (for instance game theory, growth theory), panel data econometrics and causal inference is required.

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

A baseline list of papers will be circulated at the beginning of the course. Further paper selected by topics will be chosen during the course also depending on the interests of students.

Teaching methods

Classes and reading of papers and Discussion in Class.

Assessment methods

The exam will involve studying and replicating a published paper and presenting a paper in a final "students' workshop". Depending on the number of students enrolled also a mid-term (possibly take-home) exam may be organized.

Teaching tools

Classes with presentations and blackboard. Slides of lectures will be made available. Students are expected to read and discuss papers published in top journals with both theoretical and empirical content.

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Cervellati