This course examines the determinants of economic growth and development and the sources of persistent differences in living standards across countries and regions. Particular attention is devoted to the roles of geography, institutions, culture, and human capital in shaping long-run economic performance and development trajectories. Drawing on recent contributions from the economics literature and a range of historical and contemporary case studies, the course explores competing theories and empirical evidence on the fundamental causes of economic prosperity and underdevelopment. Students will critically engage with current debates on the interactions among economic, political, social, and cultural factors in the development process.

By the end of the course, students will be able to evaluate alternative explanations for cross-country differences in economic performance, interpret empirical evidence in the development and growth literature, and apply economic reasoning to the analysis of contemporary development challenges.

The course is organized into seven thematic modules that examine the fundamental determinants of economic growth and development from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. Module A. Models of Economic Growth * The stylized facts of economic growth * The Solow growth model * Long-run growth and convergence Module B. The Role of Geography * Geography and comparative development * Climate, natural endowments, and economic performance * Trade, location, and spatial inequality Module C. The Role of Institutions * Institutions and long-run economic development * Colonial origins and institutional persistence * Trade and institutional change * The emergence of representative government * The origins of states and political hierarchy Module D. The Role of Culture * Culture versus institutions in explaining development * The historical origins of cultural traits * Trust, social norms, and economic performance * Culture, cooperation, and ethnic conflict Module E. The Role of Human Capital * Education and economic development * Religion, literacy, and human capital accumulation * Innovation, knowledge diffusion, and technological change * Human capital and industrialization Module F. The Role of Demography * Population dynamics and the transition from stagnation to growth * Fertility decline and economic development * Aging populations, automation, and long-run growth Module G. Inequality and Growth * The relationship between inequality and economic development * Credit constraints and poverty traps * The effects of income distribution on long-run growth Throughout the course, students will engage with seminal and frontier research papers in economics, critically evaluating competing explanations for cross-country differences in economic performance and development outcomes.

Although there are no required textbooks for this course, students are strongly encouraged to consult the following influential works, which provide valuable background and complementary perspectives on the themes covered in the course: * Diamond, J. (1997), Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. * Acemoglu, D. and Robinson, J. A. (2012), Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty. * Galor, O. (2022), The Journey of Humanity: The Origins of Wealth and Inequality. These books offer accessible introductions to some of the central debates on the historical and institutional determinants of economic development and long-run prosperity.

The course combines lectures with discussion-based sessions centered on academic research articles. A substantial part of the course is devoted to the analysis and critical discussion of papers at the research frontier in the fields of economic growth and development. Through guided reading and in-class debate, students will examine how economists formulate research questions, identify causal relationships, and evaluate empirical evidence.

The final grade will depend on: -Class presentation and active participation in seminar classes (25%) -Final exam (75%)

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