Development Policies
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The objectives of this course consist in enhancing students' ability to: understand and interpret the process of economic development and underdevelopment; consolidate their understanding of those elements of basic economic theory as applied to the problems of development; identify the key determinants of economic growth and development, with an emphasis on the distinction between proximate and deeper causes; and analyze how development policies can foster the long-term growth performance and the development path of a country, focusing on contemporary debates and challenges at stake.
Expected learning outcomes
The course is intended to lead the student to:
- (judgment) develop an analytical method of thought in order to critically assess contemporary process of economic development and learn to evaluate choices and policies made by policy makers in order to foster development;
- (knowledge and understanding) consolidate the fundamental concepts of development economics and the rationales for different tools and policies adopted in the process of economic growth and development; gain adequate knowledge of the main stylized facts of economic development and growth of different nations in the world, focusing on the effects of the adopted policies in historical perspective and in contemporary debates;
- (ability to apply knowledge and understanding) possess the tools in order to identify and interpret the most critical issues in development dynamics in low and middle income economies and the causes of divergence among economic systems on the ground of key structural and contextual characteristics and of their significance for economic and human development.
- (judgment) develop an analytical method of thought in order to critically assess contemporary process of economic development and learn to evaluate choices and policies made by policy makers in order to foster development;
- (knowledge and understanding) consolidate the fundamental concepts of development economics and the rationales for different tools and policies adopted in the process of economic growth and development; gain adequate knowledge of the main stylized facts of economic development and growth of different nations in the world, focusing on the effects of the adopted policies in historical perspective and in contemporary debates;
- (ability to apply knowledge and understanding) possess the tools in order to identify and interpret the most critical issues in development dynamics in low and middle income economies and the causes of divergence among economic systems on the ground of key structural and contextual characteristics and of their significance for economic and human development.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The course introduces the fundamental elements of the current debate on development, with particular reference to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, related National 2030 Agendas, and the construction of the post-2030 framework.
The course content is structured as follows:
1. The evolution of the concept of development, policies and actors
The concept of development, from Truman to Human Development and Sustainable Development.
Development actors, from citizens to international institutions.
The evolution of development policies after the neo-Keynesian phase and the first debt crisis: structural adjustment programmes, the HIPC Initiative and Poverty Reduction Strategies, the Millennium Development Goals, the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
2. Policy-making, global frameworks and sectoral policies
The UN 2030 Agenda and its implementation at national level. National Agendas and Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).
Sectoral policies: economic policies (monetary and fiscal policy), food and agriculture, water, health, education, environment, and climate change.
The challenge of policy coherence.
3. Financing for Development
The international debate on mobilizing resources to finance development processes and the 2030 Agenda.
The UN International Conferences on Financing for Development (FFD) and the main financing channels.
The debate following FFD4: towards a new international financial architecture.
4. Global governance and common values
Instruments and spaces for international governance: the UN, regional institutions, groups (G7, G20, BRICS, G77), and other forms of international dialogue and decision-making.
Cooperation and fragmentation in the post-pandemic context.
Examples of best practices.
Links, trade-offs and consistency between development, human rights and peace.
Non-attendance is discouraged. Non-attending students intending to sit the examination must contact the lecturer well in advance via the Teams platform.
The course content is structured as follows:
1. The evolution of the concept of development, policies and actors
The concept of development, from Truman to Human Development and Sustainable Development.
Development actors, from citizens to international institutions.
The evolution of development policies after the neo-Keynesian phase and the first debt crisis: structural adjustment programmes, the HIPC Initiative and Poverty Reduction Strategies, the Millennium Development Goals, the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
2. Policy-making, global frameworks and sectoral policies
The UN 2030 Agenda and its implementation at national level. National Agendas and Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).
Sectoral policies: economic policies (monetary and fiscal policy), food and agriculture, water, health, education, environment, and climate change.
The challenge of policy coherence.
3. Financing for Development
The international debate on mobilizing resources to finance development processes and the 2030 Agenda.
The UN International Conferences on Financing for Development (FFD) and the main financing channels.
The debate following FFD4: towards a new international financial architecture.
4. Global governance and common values
Instruments and spaces for international governance: the UN, regional institutions, groups (G7, G20, BRICS, G77), and other forms of international dialogue and decision-making.
Cooperation and fragmentation in the post-pandemic context.
Examples of best practices.
Links, trade-offs and consistency between development, human rights and peace.
Non-attendance is discouraged. Non-attending students intending to sit the examination must contact the lecturer well in advance via the Teams platform.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no formal prerequisites.
Teaching methods
The course will consist of lectures, the analysis of official United Nations and government documents (with particular reference to policy planning and results assessment), and in-depth group work. Students will work in groups to develop case studies and will present their findings in seminar format.
Teaching Resources
There will be no single textbook prescribed for this course. A list of handouts, slides, papers and official documents from governments and international institutions will be uploaded to the Ariel portal and the Teams platform during the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Although non-attendance is discouraged, examination requirements are identical for attending and non-attending students. Non-attending students intending to sit the examination must contact the lecturer well in advance via the Teams platform.
The examination consists of a written component and an oral component. For the written component, students must submit a paper comparing and critically evaluating two Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of their choice, presented by governments at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) over the last five years.
The written paper will be discussed during the oral examination, followed by questions on the course content.
Students must demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the international debate on sustainable development, the main objectives and constraints of sectoral policies, the links between local and global dimensions, global governance, and development finance.
The examination consists of a written component and an oral component. For the written component, students must submit a paper comparing and critically evaluating two Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of their choice, presented by governments at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) over the last five years.
The written paper will be discussed during the oral examination, followed by questions on the course content.
Students must demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the international debate on sustainable development, the main objectives and constraints of sectoral policies, the links between local and global dimensions, global governance, and development finance.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)