Development Economics (Audio)

This is a quick look at one of the basic models of economic growth, explained with words only.  It's an introduction to the more mathematical videos on the Solow model, but if you don't get the math it is also fine to stop here.

Related videos: The...

Do rapid rates of growth propel developing nations to fully developed status, or do some countries tend to get "stuck"?  The latter seems to be true, so here's a look at what we know about a puzzling and important phenomenon.

The rule of 70 is a useful rule of thumb for quickly calculating the doubling time for something (e.g. population, GDP, internet nodes) that is growing at a constant rate; it says the doubling time is 70/growth rate. See the video for details and some...

How do we compare the standard of living in two different countries or in the same country over time? Comparisons of per capita Gross Domestic Product are one possible answer but what is GDP? What is nominal GDP? What is real GDP? And how do we compare...

Why economists should worry more about water, the problems of water, and water policy, in a nutshell.

Can it be ethical to buy and sell water, something so important for human life?  I won't answer this question outright, but I will bring to bear the perspective of an economist on it.

Is the era of big infrastructure projects over?  Or is it just getting started?  How important are dams anyway?

"Sometimes the easiest way to trade water is inside a tomato."  What does that mean and why is it important?

Economist and water expert David Zetland covers some basic analytics for the economics of water.

Why is water supply often a natural monopoly?  Hint: it has something to do with the pipes.