Students learn methods/indicators to measure development, with a specific focus on agriculture, economic growth, poverty, equality, and food security.
This includes indicators of development, such as the Human Development Index, and development objectives and their relationships as well as conflicts between them. Data (mainly from World Bank and UN system) are presented on selected development indicators for all developing regions.
This is followed by a review of development theories (classical, balanced/unbalanced growth models, modernization theory, basic needs approach, role of transaction costs and rural institutions) and related development strategies and by a discussion of the underlying factors of development (as derived by the development theories), such as the endowment with natural resources and land, labor and population growth, and human, financial and social capital. The contributions of agriculture for overall development are presented.
Students learn also about the institutional setting of development aid. This concerns national and international development institutions including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with their structures, roles and development approaches. Finally, students are introduced to several rural and agricultural development policies, with an emphasis on the role of the state for agricultural and rural development and sectoral policy instruments related to agricultural and food markets, land and rural finance, agricultural extension, and social safety net /public works policies. | |
