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PODCAST

In Pursuit of Development

Step into conversations that travel across continents and challenge the way you think about progress. From democracy and inequality to climate resilience and healthcare, Dan Banik explores how societies navigate the complex terrain of democracy, poverty, inequality, and sustainability. Through dialogues with scholars, leaders, and innovators, In Pursuit of Development uncovers how ideas travel, why policies succeed or fail, and what it takes to build a more just and resilient world. Expect sharp

science social sciences

All Episodes

00:50:20

The Globalization of Finance and Its Impact on State...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2024/02/21

An increasing number of countries are struggling with rising debt and facing defaults. A recent World Bank report revealed that developing countries paid a record $443.5 billion in 2022 to service their public debts, a situation exacerbated by surging global interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar. This debt servicing cost represents a 5% increase from the previous year, with warnings of more challenges ahead for the world’s poorest nations. Therefore, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of

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00:20:49

The Genesis of the Human Development Report and Index...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2024/02/14

The landscape of development theory, measurement, and policy was transformed in 1990 with the publication of the first Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). This report also introduced the Human Development Index, which is a summary measure of average achievement in 3 key dimensions of human development: life expectancy at birth, literacy and income. In 1981, Amartya Sen published a paper titled "Public action and the quality of life in developing countries",

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00:57:24

Global Structural Reform: Poverty, Freedom, Justice,...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2024/02/07

We explore the idea that the gravest deficits in freedom are intrinsically linked to poverty, impacting individuals and nations worldwide. We also examine the global innovation regime's crucial role in shaping progress and human development. International impact funds encourage and reward innovations based on their social benefits, potentially revolutionizing the current innovation regime. Towards the end of the conversation, we briefly discuss the work of John Rawls and the theory of justice as

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00:47:47

The Future of Industrialization – Jostein Hauge

In Pursuit of Development ·

2024/01/31

Few events have transformed society as profoundly as the Industrial Revolution. The introduction of the factory system not only revolutionized the production landscape but also reshaped the social and economic contours of nations. This transformation was marked by the birth of industries such as textiles, iron, and glass-making, which catapulted productivity and altered every facet of daily life, setting the stage for modern civilization. However, the bastions of industrialization are not impervious

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00:50:01

Development as a Right: Unpacking Principles and...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2024/01/24

The right to development enables individuals and communities to actively participate in and benefit from various forms of development — economic, social, cultural, and political — while ensuring their human rights and freedoms. It involves a range of responsibilities, including the roles of states, multinational companies, NGOs, businesses, and educational institutions. Central to this right are principles of self-determination, intersectionality, intergenerational equity, and fair distribution,

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00:49:29

Shifting Paradigms: The Global South and Feminist...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2024/01/17

The term "Global South" has seen an exponential rise in both academic discourse and international policy dialogues, having evolved from a mere synonym for the “Third World” to a complex geo-historical concept. In the first part of this episode, we critically analyze the utility and limitations of the term, acknowledging the diverse economic, political, and cultural realities it attempts to encapsulate. In the second section, we unpack how feminist political economy scrutinizes the power relations

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00:56:17

Beyond Trade: China's Cultural and Political...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2024/01/10

China's burgeoning relationship with the African continent has been characterized by significant economic investment, trade, and infrastructure development, with China emerging as Africa's largest trading partner and a major player in the continent's evolving economic landscape. In recent years, we have seen an influx of Chinese involvement in African industries ranging from mining and construction to manufacturing and retail. This has been accompanied by an ambitious drive to develop Africa's

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00:55:28

Accountability in Action: The World Bank's Inspection...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/12/27

Established as an independent complaints mechanism in 1993, the Inspection Panel is tasked with bringing transparency and redress to those adversely affected by World Bank-funded initiatives. The Panel is widely recognized as an international pioneer in respect to holding a major multilateral organization to account on social and environmental issues. Over the past three decades, it has registered numerous “Requests for Inspection”, from communities potentially affected by World Bank-financed

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00:53:56

From Miracle to Menace: The Fight Against Plastic...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/12/20

Once heralded as a miraculous material, plastic now poses a slow and insidious threat to our waterways, landscapes, and ecosystems. Plastic pollution impacts different regions of the world to varying degrees, and Malawi stands out as a notable example. An estimated 75,000 tons of plastic are manufactured annually in the country, with a minimum of 80% of these plastics being discarded as single-use items. Following pressure from environmental activists, the Government of Malawi took action by

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00:53:41

Decoding Development: The Crucial Role of...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/12/13

Development implies not just growth over a significant period of time but also progressive changes in the structure of an economy. Many influential scholars have identified the crucial role of property rights and the importance of constraining the power of the state while others highlight the importance of political settlements, development clusters, and inclusive economic and political institutions.Shiping Tang is Fudan Distinguished Professor and Dr. Seaker Chan Chair Professor at the School of

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00:47:17

Making Sense of Cancer: Why Better Therapy Leads to...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/12/06

The overarching objective of cancer research, championed by organizations like the US National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, is to "end cancer as we know it". While this statement may suggest a future with less cancer, the stark reality unfolds quite differently. My guest argues that modern medicine is not in the process of ending cancer; rather, we are accelerating the problem. Globally, the number of new cases each year is estimated to increase from 18 million in 2020 to 28

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00:57:17

Beyond Red Tape: Unraveling Bureaucratic Paradoxes in...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/11/29

Scholars have highlighted the extent to which institutions in certain developing countries often lack the power to effectively project authority and implement policies. There may also be a substantial gap between public policy objectives and their actual execution, which in turn reduces the credibility and legitimacy of the state. Bureaucracies exhibit significant variation in their ability to implement policies both between and within countries, across various policy functions, and even within

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01:02:04

Unpacking the Backlash Against Globalization and its...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/11/22

Globalization is a force that has transformed our world in ways both remarkable and challenging. From the historic wave of trade liberalizations in the late 20th century to the monumental rise of China, an intricate interplay of a range of forces has molded the interconnected nature of our planet. Along the way, we have witnessed the decline of manufacturing in advanced economies and the far-reaching impacts of trade on global poverty, inequality, and labor markets. Despite a rapid advance for two

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00:54:27

A New Horizon: Advancing Public Sector Reform in...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/11/15

Many African countries have undergone various phases of public sector reform aimed at enhancing efficiency and service delivery. But how effective have such reforms been? How and to what extent can some of these reforms be characterised as "institutional mimicry", where institutions adopt the language and behavior of reform without necessarily achieving substantial changes on the ground? How meritocratic is the civil service? And what about political interference, bureaucratic motivation and/or

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01:00:51

Political Constraints in Growth and Development:...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/11/08

Although political constraints have significant negative impacts on development, mainstream approaches to addressing these issues are often primarily technical and lack a willingness to understand and address political economy factors. Despite decades of technical efforts in sectors like health, education, and climate, some critical problems persist, such as drug supply losses, tree planting failures, and chronic absenteeism in health and education. Peter Evans is a governance specialist with

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00:52:33

India's Aspirations on the Global Stage — Suhasini...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/11/01

India's journey from a post-colonial nation to a global powerhouse has been nothing short of remarkable. The journey to this point has been marked by twists and turns, economic reforms, and strategic partnerships that have propelled India onto the world stage in ways that were once unimaginable. In the process, it has become an economic powerhouse, fostering innovation, trade, and partnerships that have set the world abuzz.But India's story isn't just about impressive economic growth. It's also

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00:48:10

Humanity's Enduring Quest for Power and Prosperity –...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/10/25

We engage in a discussion centered around Daron Acemoglu's latest book, co-authored with Simon Johnson, titled Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity. The choices we make regarding technology can either advance the interests of a select elite or serve as the foundation for widespread prosperity. But technology's trajectory can be, and should be, controlled and directed for the benefit of all. The remarkable advances in computing over the past fifty years have

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01:02:30

Unveiling the Global Tapestry: Liberalism, Democracy,...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/06/28

Grounded in fundamental principles of equality and the rule of law, liberalism is a system for governing diverse societies and emphasizes the rights of individuals to pursue their own forms of happiness free from government encroachment. But classical liberalism is in a state of crisis and is now being challenged from both the political right and the left. In his latest book – Liberalism and its discontents – Francis Fukuyama outlines some of the main reasons for the current state of crisis and

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00:49:12

Unraveling Brazil's political and legal landscape –...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/06/21

In the wake of President Lula's re-election, Brazil finds itself at a critical juncture, with numerous questions arising about the relationship between the political, legislative, and judicial systems. As Brazil grapples with its political dynamics, it is crucial to understand the extent to which the judiciary maintains its autonomy and upholds the rule of law. In this episode, we dive deep into this crucial aspect, highlighting the challenges and potential implications for the country's democratic

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00:48:51

Planet & Progress: Navigating Climate, Poverty, and...

In Pursuit of Development ·

2023/06/14

Our world is currently facing numerous crises. While progress on global poverty reduction has stalled, the incidence of violent conflicts is on the rise. Along with rising poverty and inequality in some parts of the world, geopolitical tensions are also fast escalating, and we are in the midst of a climate crisis that requires urgent political action. The resources available to address these numerous challenges appear, however, to be grossly inadequate. There is growing concern whether and to what

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