Institutions & Development Course Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is considered a fundamental cause of economic development aside from physical and human capital?

Geography (correct)

Consumer behavior

Cultural heritage

Globalization

What role do institutions play in economic development according to classical economics?

They provide non-economic causes for economic outcomes. (correct)

They primarily determine geographic advantages.

They directly influence technological advancements.

They are secondary to capital accumulation.

Which concept suggests that geographic factors create lasting inequalities between countries?

Resource allocation

Demographic transitions

Reversal of fortune (correct)

Technological disparities

How did Jared Diamond explain the European invasions of America?

Geographical advantages and diseases Signup and view all the answers

In the context of economic growth, why is it challenging to implement top-down reforms?

Misunderstanding of local conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a historically recognized factor influencing economic development?

Individual entrepreneur skills Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential consequence of having extractive institutions in a country?

Long-term poverty and inequality Signup and view all the answers

What explains the significant differences in wealth among countries?

Geographical elements, luck, and institutions Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes extractive institutions from inclusive institutions?

Inclusive institutions provide a level playing field for all, whereas extractive institutions benefit a select few. Signup and view all the answers

What historical factor primarily contributed to the development of economic disparities among countries after 1500?

Colonization and the exploitation of resources by powerful nations. Signup and view all the answers

What trend in global inequality has been observed from 1500 to the modern era?

Inequality was minimal before 1500 but increased dramatically afterwards. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Reversal of Fortune' concept suggest about economic development?

Previously rich nations often experience economic decline over time. Signup and view all the answers

How does geography influence economic development according to the concepts discussed?

Geographic location can affect resource availability and institutional development. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the evolution of inequality in GDP per capita from 1800 to 2000?

High-income nations maintained their advantages, leading to increased disparities. Signup and view all the answers

What role do institutions play in shaping economic trends across different countries?

Strong institutions are essential for fostering long-term economic growth. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes extractive institutions?

High risk of expropriation and control by a small group Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is accurate regarding poverty trends across individuals in developing nations?

Inequality may lead to increased poverty for marginalized groups. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'reversal of fortune' primarily refer to?

Countries that were rich in 1500 becoming poorer today Signup and view all the answers

According to Acemoglu, Johnson, and Robinson, why was urbanization in 1500 a good proxy for wealth?

It reflects historical population density and development Signup and view all the answers

What do inclusive institutions promote?

Broad access to economic opportunities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best explains the historical trend of global inequality?

Differences in institutional development account for inequality Signup and view all the answers

How does geography play a role in economic development according to the content?

Geographic advantages may evolve and affect development over time Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason for the differences in inequality within countries?

Diverse historical influences on institutional development Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about extractive institutions?

They are beneficial for long-term economic stability Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course title: Institutions & Development
University: University of Namur
Instructor: Guilhem Cassan
Email: [email protected]
Office: 530
Office hours: Tuesdays, 2 PM - 3 PM (appointment required)

Course Organization

24-hour course, with 8 x 3-hour sessions
Each session focuses on a few articles on a specific theme.
Course materials are based on research papers on webcampus.
Required reading is denoted with a star on the syllabus (subject to updates).
All course materials are available on the ECONM822 webcampus page shortly before class.
Course group is also on Teams (ECONM822).

Course Objectives

Examining current research on institutions and development
Becoming familiar with and critically analyzing empirical research.
Applying research examples to inform and structure arguments.

Course Presentations

Presentations are required (25% of final grade)
Typical class structure: 2 hours of lectures, 1 hour of presentation on the prior week's theme.
Ideally, classes are in person, but could be hybrid based on circumstances.
Presentations start October 17th.
Groups of 4 maximum
Presentations are 30 minutes long, include questions.
Paper summaries are crucial, focusing on the paper's fit within the course topic.
Critiques of the papers involve analyzing the validity of the conclusions, supporting data, and possible alternative testing methods.
If not enough slots for presentations, an individual report will be required.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated
Papers will be available online through webcampus.
Students will pick their paper from a Google sheet on webcampus on a first come, first served basis.
Only two papers from each theme are allowed to be chosen.

Exam

2-hour exam at the end of the course (75% of final grade)
Exam sessions: January and September
Exam format: closed-book, includes a reflexive question alongside course questions.

Retake Exam

Only the exam can be retaken (not the presentation).
Presentation grades stand.
Students repeating the course need to submit a new presentation/individual report for a new grade.

Course Calendar

Dates and topics of each session.

Roadmap

Organization of the course
Trends in inequality across countries
Trends in poverty and inequality across individuals
Why those inequalities?
The reversal of fortune
Conclusion

Additional Information

Included images are various infographics and maps illustrating the course's topics.
World Mapper, Maddison 2010, and other sources and methodologies inform data visualizations.
Topics included: Evolution of global inequality, evolution of global inequality: per world region, inequality between/within countries, evolution of global inequality: who benefits from growth, poverty by world region, health: massive increase in life expectancy, health: more dangerous, development is multidimensional, institutions as a fundamental cause of development, fundamental causes of development, geography, guns, germs and steel, reversal of fortune, evolution of urbanisation.

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Description

This quiz covers the critical elements of the Institutions & Development course at the University of Namur. It examines course objectives, structure, and research-focused learning. Familiarize yourself with key readings and presentations that shape the curriculum as you prepare for a comprehensive understanding of institutions and development research.