Writing
Commentary
How can countries develop their economies in a changed world?
With Francesco Caselli, revisiting how protectionism, automation, climate change, and state capacity alter the development strategies available to lower-income economies.
Shocks that Settle: The Long Shadow of a Commodity Crisis
On why energy and fertiliser shocks in emerging economies don’t pass through smoothly but accumulate, and why restoring the flow of critical inputs can matter more than trimming prices.
Blue Economics: Why the Ocean Matters for Development
On the ocean as the planet’s largest property-rights failure, and how enforceable treaties, blue carbon pricing, and community-based resource rights could prevent the next ocean crisis.
How to Navigate the Data Jungle in Emerging Economies
With Shahrukh Wani, on why governments in developing countries often don’t lack data but struggle to use it, and what separates data reforms that take hold from those that don’t.
When Is More Competition the Answer for Economic Growth? (Part I)
On creative destruction and catch-up growth, and why selectively protecting firms from competition can make sense early in development but risks entrenching elites if held onto for too long.
Technology Diffusion and International Investment in a Tense World
On why trade and investment carry embodied ideas and technologies, not just goods, and what fraying trade relations could mean for the diffusion of innovation to emerging economies.
India’s Opportunity for Sustainable Growth
With Nikita Sharma, on how clean-energy and conservation innovations can loosen the historical trade-off between growth and environmental protection.
How Investing in Human Capital Can Help Adapt to Climate Change
Why education can make workers more mobile across sectors and locations, and therefore more resilient to climate damage.
Eight Questions for Sustainable Growth
With Allegra Saggese, Robin Burgess, and Stefano Caria, on energy, firms, cities, social protection, climate finance, and the next research agenda.
Transforming Myanmar’s Energy Sector
On electricity access, generation choices, and the pricing reforms needed to finance a reliable power system.
Talks and interviews
How can countries develop their economies in a changed world?
The global environment for development has changed, so development policies should change too. This podcast looks back at predictions from 2018, and discusses what the current geopolitical situation means for future growth policy.
-
Data plays a crucial role in designing effective development policies, yet its availability and use in low- and middle-income countries remain inconsistent. This panel explores the transformative role of data and AI in shaping global development initiatives.
-
A conversation recorded around an IGC–World Bank workshop on research priorities for climate change.