Chris Blattman on Cash, Poverty, and Development

What this episode covers

Chris Blattman of Columbia University talks to EconTalk host Russ Roberts about a radical approach to fighting poverty in desperately poor countries: giving cash to aid recipients and allowing them to spend it as they please. Blattman shares his research and cautious optimism about giving cash and discusses how infusions of cash affect growth, educational outcomes, and political behavior (including violence). The conversation concludes with a discussion of the limits of aid and the some of the moral issues facing aid activists and researchers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of EconTalk?

This episode is 1 hour and 11 minutes long.

When was this EconTalk episode published?

This episode was published on July 21, 2014.

What is this episode about?

Chris Blattman of Columbia University talks to EconTalk host Russ Roberts about a radical approach to fighting poverty in desperately poor countries: giving cash to aid recipients and allowing them to spend it as they please. Blattman shares his...

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