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 cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
First part:
1- Policy evaluation for development programs: a methodological overview.
2- Education and development.
2.1- Measuring private and public returns to education.
2.2- What can be done to improve education? Supply-side intervention.
2.3- What can be done to improve education? Demand-side intervention.
Second part:
1- The facts of growth.
2- Saving, capital accumulation, and output.
3- Technological progress and growth.
4- Balance of payments.
5- International financial integration.
1- Policy evaluation for development programs: a methodological overview.
2- Education and development.
2.1- Measuring private and public returns to education.
2.2- What can be done to improve education? Supply-side intervention.
2.3- What can be done to improve education? Demand-side intervention.
Second part:
1- The facts of growth.
2- Saving, capital accumulation, and output.
3- Technological progress and growth.
4- Balance of payments.
5- International financial integration.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no formal prerequisites.
Teaching methods
The course consists of both lectures and review sessions. This course aims to enhance students' ability to understand and interpret the processes of economic development and underdevelopment.
In the first part of the course, students will examine how development policies can promote long-term growth in low- and middle-income countries by encouraging investment in human capital—specifically in education and health. The course introduces key methodological tools for evaluating the impact of development programs and policies. It also provides an overview of the most relevant policies for human capital development.
In the second part, the course offers a comprehensive introduction to Solow's model of economic growth and explains how the economy operates in an increasingly integrated global context. The focus will be on the main drivers of growth, including savings, capital accumulation, and technological progress. Additionally, the course will explore the balance of payments and the role of international financial integration in shaping economic performance.
In the first part of the course, students will examine how development policies can promote long-term growth in low- and middle-income countries by encouraging investment in human capital—specifically in education and health. The course introduces key methodological tools for evaluating the impact of development programs and policies. It also provides an overview of the most relevant policies for human capital development.
In the second part, the course offers a comprehensive introduction to Solow's model of economic growth and explains how the economy operates in an increasingly integrated global context. The focus will be on the main drivers of growth, including savings, capital accumulation, and technological progress. Additionally, the course will explore the balance of payments and the role of international financial integration in shaping economic performance.
Teaching Resources
First part:
- The professor will provide the specific reading list.
Second part:
- The benchmark handbook is Blanchard, O., Amighini, A., and Giavazzi, F. (2021) Macroeconomics: A European Persepctive. Pearson Higher Ed.
- The professor will provide the specific reading list.
Second part:
- The benchmark handbook is Blanchard, O., Amighini, A., and Giavazzi, F. (2021) Macroeconomics: A European Persepctive. Pearson Higher Ed.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exams are written and cover all the topics presented during lectures and review sessions and consist of exercises with open-ended questions (which may include explanations and/or calculations and/or graphical analysis) and a few multiple-choice questions.
SECS-P/01 - ECONOMICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Giunti Sara, Trivin Garcia Pedro
Professor(s)