This course treats public-sector policies, programs, and projects that attempt to reduce poverty and unemployment in developing countries through directly income-generating activities and employment. Topics covered are (1) employment and local economic development, particularly as related to the informal sector, small and medium enterprises, and workers; (2) the political economy of local economic-development initiatives; (3) lessons from policy and implementation experiences; (4) worker conditions, standards, and rights; and (5) associations among small (and often medium) firms, and among workers. The course links these approaches to the broader literature on poverty reduction, economic development, politics, and the reform of government. It discusses the types of initiatives, tasks, and environments that are most conducive to equitable outcomes, and emphasizes throughout the understandings gained about why certain initiatives work and others do not.
An average of two article- or chapter-length readings will be assigned each session, to be read before the session for which they are assigned. Students should attend class regularly, have read the required readings before class, and be prepared to participate in class discussions based on the readings. Students will prepare two short papers based on questions related to the readings, and an oral presentation on the last day of class. No late papers will be accepted. More detailed instructions and paper deadlines will be provided in class.
Grades will be based on participation in class, knowledge of the readings as reflected in class discussions, written assignments, the extent to which improvement over the course of the semester is apparent, and attendance (no more than two excused absences).