Development economics is an exciting and challenging branch of Economics. The approach of this course is to provide a comprehensive introduction to the theoretical paradigms of economic development. In a fast-moving global economic order, there is a persistent demand to synchronize the approaches, theories and development issues for a better understanding of the problems of the developing economies. By its very nature, the scope is interdisciplinary in nature, incorporating non-economic dimensions like culture, norms, and values as well as political, historical and social processes. The discourse, however, is essentially based on the logic and theoretical framework of standard economic analysis. The objective of this course is to familiarize students with the conceptual routes, theoretical dynamics and practical strategies of growth and development. It is expected that this course would orient them towards major themes of development, lead them towards more methodical probes and equip them with adequate analytical knowledge. The aim of this course is to provide an advanced treatment of the main issues, concepts and techniques in modern growth theory. At the end of this course, students should be able(i) to understand and critically evaluate alternative theories of growth. (ii) show a clear understanding of the recent literature, both empirical and analytical, on theories of underdevelopment and growth in developing countries;(iii) be able to evaluate critically some of the results in the literature, particularly those related to development issues.

• Meaning and measurement of economic development: conventional, human development

index (Human Development Index, Gender Related Development Index, Gender Empowerment Measure, Gender Inequality Index, Human Poverty Index).

• Quality of life indices: Entitlements approach- Capabilities and Functioning- Human Development- Development as Freedom- Human Rights-Based Approach- Three Core Values of Development
• Development Gap -Inequality in income distribution- Kuznets Inverted U hypothesis- Lorenz Curve and Gini-coefficient – Concept of Sustainable

• Vicious Circle of Poverty—Dualistic – Social – Financial and Technical Dualism

Prebisch- Singer thesis and Myrdal thesis: Backwash and spread effect- Circular and cumulative causation- Rostow’s stages of growth. —Vent for Surplus theory of Hla Myint—Stable Theory –the Dutch Diseases.

• Rural-urban migration and urban unemployment (Harris-Todaro model).
• Political Economy of Underdevelopment (Theory of dependency): Paul Baran, Gundar Frank, Samir Amin and Emmanuel Wallerstein (World systems approach).

• Classical Theory of Development–Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Karl Marx and

Schumpeter.

• Theories of Economic Growth: Harrod-Domar
• Neo-Classical Growth Models – Solow and
• Cambridge Growth Models: Mrs. Joan Robinson’s and Kaldor’s Growth
• Endogenous Growth Models: (Ramsey, Romer; Uzawa-Lucas, AK, Arrow’s Model, Grossman and Helpman’s model, Aghion and Howitt).

• Theory of Big Push- Critical Minimum Effort Thesis- Low -Income Equilibrium
• Balanced and Unbalanced
• Development with Unlimited Supply of Labour, Ranis and Fei Model – Michael Kremer’s O-Ring Theory of Economic Development– The Jorgenson model and Dixit-Marglin

• Role of Financial Institutions in Economic Development: (Acemoglu and Zilibotti model)
• Globalization and Development: Views of
• Culture and Development (The Doepke-Zilibotti Model).
• Social Capital and
• Diaspora and
• Corruption, Crime and
• Climate Change and
• Energy and

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2. Acemoglu, (2009): Introduction to Modern Economic Growth. Princeton University Press.
3. Adam Szirmai (2014): The Dynamics of Socio-Economic Development: An Introduction, 2nd Ed, Cambridge University
4. Aghion, &Howitt, P. (2008), The Economics of Growth, MIT Press, Cambridge MA.
5. Alain de Janvry, Elisabeth Sadoulet (2016): Development Economics: Theory and Practice,
6. Charles I. Jones and Dietrich Vollrath (2013): Introduction to Economic Growth, 3rdEd, W. W. Norton &
7. David Alexander Clark (2006): The Elgar Companion to Development Studies, Edward Elgar.
8. David N. Weil (2013): Economic Growth, 3rd Ed,
9. Dwight H. Perkins, Steven Radelet, David L. Lindauer and Steven A. Block (2013): Economics of Development, 7th Ed, W. W. Norton & Company
10. Meier, M and J.E. Rauch (2014): Leading Issues in Economic Development, Oxford University Press, New Delhi
11. Gerard Roland (2016): Development Economics,
12. Graham Hacche (1987): The Theory of Economic Growth: An introduction, Macmillan.
13. Hywel G. Jones (1976): An Introduction to Modern Theories of Economic Growth, McGraw-Hill.
14. Irma Adelman (1961): Theories of Economic Growth and Development, Stanford University
15. James M. Cypher, James Dietz (2014): The Process of Economic Development,4thEd, Routledge.
16. John Rapley (2007): Understanding Development: Theory and Practice in the Third World, 3rd Ed, Lynne Rienner
17. Martha Nassbaum and Amarthya Sen (1993): The Quality of Life, the World Institute for Development
18. Michael P. Todaro, Stephen C. Smith (2017): Economic Development 7th Ed, Pearson

Addison Wesley.

19. Preston, P.W(1996): Development Theory: An Introduction, Blackwell
20. Richard Peet and Elaine Hartwick (2009): Theories of Development: Contentions, Arguments, Alternatives,2nd Ed, The Guil Ford
21. Robert J. Barro and Xavier Sala-i-Martin (2004): Economic Growth,2nd Ed,
22. Robert Joseph Barro, Xavier Sala-i-Martin (2009): Economic Growth, 2nd Ed, MIT Press.
23. Subrata Ghatak (2008): Introduction to Development Economics, 4th Ed,
24. Thirlwall, A.P. Penélope Pacheco-López (2017): Economics of Development: Theory and Evidence,10th Ed, Macmillan (Palgrave)Education UK
25. Vandana Desai and Robert B. Potter (2014): The Companion to Development Studies,3rd Ed,
26. Wayne Nafziger (2006): Economic Development,4th Ed, Cambridge University
27. Yujiro Hayami and Yoshihisa Godo (2005): Development Economics: From the Poverty to the Wealth of Nations,3rd E,