Humanvaluesandthedesignofthefightagainstpoverty.docx

Human values and the design of the fight against povertyEsther DufloTanner Lectures, May 2012Note: These two lectures very largely draw on Abhijit Banerjee and my recent book Poor Economics. While the book is organized around thematic chapters, I have focused on two themes that are undercurrents of the entire book (they constitute two of the “five lessons” that we draw at the end “in lieu of a sweeping conclusion”). For each of the topics I will cover (paternalism vs. freedom, and hope as capability), I have tried to take the opportunity of preparing these lectures to highlight the fundamental argument that the book makes. Most of the examples are taken from the book and, when relevant, from other research that has appeared since the book was written or that we did not have space to cover.In this sense, these lectures should be co-authored, but I will spare Abhijit the blame for the poor writing. I just hope that I did not betray our shared vision. I would like to thank, without implicating, Abhiit Banerjee, Emily Breza, Jane Mansbridge Rohini Pande and Cass Sunstein for helpful comments on a first draft. I would also like to thank Homi Bhaba, Kaushik Basu, Angus Deaton, Pascaline Dupas, Emma Rotshild, and Amartya Sen for their discussion during the Tanner lecture. The lectures will be further revised in the next few weeks, this is a preliminary draft of the written version. Lecture 1: Paternalism versus Freedom?Paternalism does not garner good press anywhere, but is viewed in specially harsh light when applied to anti-poverty policy. Paternalism can be defined as the practice of providing a set of “basic needs”for people (the set may vary), typically without consulting them on what their needs actually are. This may involve the free or subsidized provision of housing, schooling, or health care etc., but usually also involves a set of mandates or restrictions on the shape that any assistance takes. The poor get food stamps or access to ration shops rather than cas