World Economic Development

The purpose of the course is to develop an understanding of current economic problems and policy issues in developing countries. The course will review the evolution of development thinking and current policy debates and will examine the development experience of different countries and regions over the post war period. We will also survey different economic theories of development. Some of the questions that will be addressed include the following: a) What are the sources of current development challenges including historical, institutional, geographical, environmental, and cultural factors? b) How do different economic theories approach to the issue of underdevelopment? c) What is the role of economic globalization in determining the future development paths of developing countries?

This is a three-credit hour online course. Please see your local Site Director or email our online site coordinator at [email protected]

Student materials are available at the OU Bookstore Website at https://ou.textbookx.com/institutional/index.php. The website has book selling, renting, buying, returning, and order tracking capabilities. If you need help with an order, or if you have any questions contact the toll-free phone at 1-(855)-790-6637, agents are available from 9a – 5p (EST) Monday – Friday. Text prices are available online.

All readings and lecture slides will be posted on the OU Canvas system: Access Canvas at https://canvas.ou.edu, enter your OU NetID and password, and select course to access material. If you require assistance with Canvas, please click on the Help icon. You can search the Canvas guides, chat with Canvas support, or contact OU IT. 

All official correspondence from instructors will be sent only to students’ ou.edu address.

Email Account and Canvas: Students are expected to check their OU email accounts and the course site on Canvas daily for updates from the instructor

The College of Arts and Sciences offers an online orientation for students who are enrolled in online or blended courses. The purpose of the orientation is to ensure that students are well prepared both technically and practically to take online courses. The orientation can be found on their website at: http://www.ou.edu/content/cas/online/student-online-orientation.html

The College of Arts and Sciences Online and Academic Technology Services office is here to assist you with any questions, problems, or concerns you may have. For assistance visit their website at http://www.ou.edu/content/cas/online/student-information.html or contact them by telephone at: (405) 325-5854 or email: [email protected]

The purpose of the course is to develop an understanding of current economic problems and policy issues in developing countries.

(* means optional):

1.       Introduction

1.1 Post war evolution of development thinking

• • Handout 1a

  • Streeten, P. (2008). The meaning and measurement of development, in International Handbook of Development Economics, Volume One A. K. Dutt and J. Ros (Eds).

  • *Sen, A. 2005. The Concept of Development. In Handbook of Development, Ch.1, Vol 1.

1.2 Developing countries: description and record in historical context

• • Handout 1b

2.       Capital accumulation, industrialization and state-led development

• • Handout 2

  • Shapiro, H. (2008). ‘Industry and Industrial Policy.’ In A.K. Dutt and J. Ros (Eds.), International Handbook of Development Economics, Ch. 32.

  • Chang: Kicking Away the Ladder, Ch.2, pp.13-68

  • *Rodrik, D. (2008). Industrial Policy: Don’t Ask Why, Ask How.  Harvard University. Middle East Development Journal, 1-29.

  • *Hamilton, A. (1791). Report on manufactures. Annals of Congress.

  • *Bruton, H. (2005). Import Substitution. In Handbook of Development, Ch.30, Vol 2.

3.       Institutions and development

• • Handout 6

  • Acemoglu, D., S. Johnson and J. Robinson (2005). ‘Institutions as a fundamental cause of long run growth,’ In P. Aghion and S. Durlauf (Eds.), Handbook of Economic Growth, Ch.6.

  • Chang, Bad Samaritans, Ch. 9. pp. 167-188.

  • *Ros, J. (2016), Ch. 17

4.       Alternative approaches to development

• • Handout 3

  • *Bardhan, P. (2005). Alternative Approaches to Development Economics. In Handbook of Development, Ch 3. Vol 1.

4.1 Neoclassical economics

• • International Handbook of Development Economics, Ch. 13 (S. Rashid)

  • Hunt, Property and Prophets, Ch. 8

4.2 Keynesianism

• • Hunt, Property and Prophets, Ch. 12

  • Watch: “ M. Keynes: What Did We Learn from the Great Depression?” (from the “Economics, USA” TV series)

4.3 Marxism

• • Hunt, E.K. Property and Prophets, Ch. 6 -7

  • K. Hunt and Mark Lautzenheiser (2011). History of Economic Thought: A Critical Perspective, Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe. Ch. 13.

  • International Handbook of Development Economics, Ch. 11 (B. Sutcliffe)

  • *K. Marx and F. Engels. The Communist Manifesto.

5.       Economic development experiences

5.1   The East Asian experience(s)

• • Handout 4a

  • Rodrik, D. (1994). “Getting Interventions Right: How South Korea and Taiwan Grew Rich.” NBER Working Paperw.4964.

  • Wade, R. (1989). “What can Economics Learn from East Asian Success?” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 505, The Pacific Region: Challenges to Policy and Theory: 68-79.

  • Jenkins, R. (1991). “The Political Economy of Industrialization: A Comparison of Latin American and East Asian Newly Industrializing Countries.” Development and Change, 22: 197-231.

5.2 European Capitalism

• • The Middle Way: Swedish Social Democracy.’ In Introduction to Political Economy, 7^th Charles Sackrey, Geoffrey Schneider, Janet Knoedler (eds.). Dollars and Sense.

  • Sweden: Crisis and Reform of the Capitalist Welfare State. In J. Barkley Rosser and Marina V. Rosser (Eds.), Comparative Economics in a Transforming World, MIT Press (pp. 223-250).

6.       Open economy and development

• • Handout 5

  • Ocampo, J. A. (2014). Trade and Finance in Development Thinking. In Currie-Alder et al., pp. 295-310.

  • Griffith-Jones, S. (2008). Private capital flows and development. In A. Dutt and J. Ros, International Handbook of Development Economics, Edward Elgar.

  • *Balassa, B. 2005. Outward Orientation. In Handbook of Development, Ch.31, Vol 2.

  • *Rodriguez, F. (2008). International trade and development. In A. Dutt and J. Ros, International Handbook of Development Economics, Edward Elgar.

  • *Harrison, A. and A. Rodríguez-Clare (2010). Trade, Foreign Investment, and Industrial Policy for Developing Countries.” In: Rodrik and Rosenzweig, pp. 4071-4095 (Chapter 63), Part 4.

  • *Evans, D. (2005). Alternative Perspectives on Trade and Development. In Handbook of Development Economics, C. 24, Vol. 2.

  • *Rodrik, D. (2005) Trade and Industrial policy reform. In Handbook of Development Economics, Ch. 45, Vol 3B.

7.       Geography, colonialism and development

• • Handout 7

  • Ros, J. (2016). Ch. 18.

8.       Natural resources and development

• • Handout 8

  • Auty, R. (2008). Natural resources and development. In A. Dutt and J. Ros, International Handbook of Development Economics, Edward Elgar.

Course Schedule

September

1. Introduction (Sep 1-7)

a. Post war evolution of development thinking

b. Developing countries: description and record in historical context

2. Capital accumulation and industrialization (Sep 8-20)

3. Institutions and development (Sep 21-30)

October

4. Alternative approaches to development (Oct 1- 20)

5. Economic development experiences (Oct 21-31)

November

6. Open economy and development (Nov 1-10)

7. Geography and development (Nov 11-20)

8. Natural resources and development (Nov 21-30)

There will be seven quizzes in the form of short essays from assigned readings at the end of each section. They will be posted on Canvas and you will have ten days to complete them. Therefore, you are expected to complete the assigned readings before the end of each section. You are expected to use all required readings in each section to answer the questions.

Final Examination:

The final exam will in take-home format with essay questions and will be given one week before the last day of class. 

Term Paper

The term paper should be on a problem or issue that is related to our class readings, or any topic dealing with economic development issues and practices. It should be focused, analytic, reflect critical thinking of materials read and must be well-documented with complete references given (at least 10 sources). It needs to be 6-8 pages long (excluding references) and single-spaced. Internet material should be used with care and very sparingly (Wikipedia is not acceptable). The topic for the term paper must be approved by the instructor in advance. A 1-2 page proposal of your paper is due on September 15, 2022 and the final paper is due on December 1, 2022. Both the proposal and the final copy of your paper need to be submitted online through Canvas. More details on term paper are provided on Canvas.  

This is a letter-graded course: A, B, C, D, or F.

Please contact the professor regarding his/her policy for late work

Notice: Failure to meet assignment due dates could result in a grade of I (Incomplete) and may adversely impact Tuition Assistance and/or Financial Aid.

A grade of “I” is not automatically assigned, but rather must be requested by the student by submitting to the instructor a “Petition for and Work to Remove an Incompleted Grade” form. An “I” can never be used in lieu of an “F” nor can an “I” be assigned because of excessive failure to participate in class activities.

If you experience technical problems, contact Information Technology by visiting their website at: http://webapps.ou.edu/it/ or contacting them by telephone at: (405) 325-HELP (4357).

Materials posted on the OU CANVAS system:

Access CANVAS at http://canvas.ou.edu; enter your OU NetID (4+4) and password, and select course to access the material.

Procedures for Completion of Course Evaluation: 

Upon completion of the course students should go to the Advanced Programs Online Learning Information webpage and click on the applicable semester link under “Online Course Evaluation” which will direct them to the evaluation.  The evaluation will take approximately five minutes to complete.  Completion of the online evaluation is an important tool allowing Advanced Programs to gain information and student feedback for improvement of courses.

Your responses will be kept confidential.  They will be reviewed by the department and only supplied to the professor once grades for the course have been submitted.

Materials posted on the OU CANVAS system:

Access CANVAS at http://canvas.ou.edu; enter your OU NetID (4+4) and password, and select course to access material. Please contact your local the IT Help desk at 405-325-HELP if you require assistance.  IT is available 24/7

Statement about the MHR Program Planner and Human Relations Website

Students should become familiar with the MHR Program Planner that was sent to each student upon admission into the program.  The planner has a description of the HR program objectives and requirements, suggestions for graduate study, financial assistance, and graduation information. Of particular interest is the information on the comprehensive exams and the internship.  For further information please visit the Department of Human Relations Website at: http://www.ou.edu/cas/hr

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities.  Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunities.  Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations in this course.  The Office of Disability Services is located in Goddard Health Center, Suite 166, phone 405-325-3852 or TDD only 405-325-4173. For more information please see the Disability Resource Center website http://www.ou.edu/drc/home.html

Civility/Inclusivity Statement:

We understand our members represent a rich variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Human Relations Department is committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that respects diversity. While working together to build this community we ask all members to:

• share their unique experiences, values and beliefs
• be open to the views of others
• honor the uniqueness of their colleagues
• appreciate the opportunity we have to learn from each other in this community
• value each other’s opinions and communicate in a respectful manner
• keep confidential discussions the community has of a personal (or professional) nature
• use this opportunity together to discuss ways in which we can create an inclusive environment in this course and across the University of Oklahoma community.

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without a penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required class work that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty.

Attendance/Grade Policy

Attendance and participation in interaction, individual assignments, group exercises, simulations, role playing, etc. are valuable aspects of any course because much of the learning comes from discussions in class with other students. It is expected that you attend all classes and be on time except for excused emergencies.

Excused absences are given for professor mandated activities or legally required activities such as emergencies or military assignments. It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required class work that may fall on religious holidays. Unavoidable personal emergencies, including (but not limited to) serious illness; delays in getting to class because of accidents, etc.; deaths and funerals, and hazardous road conditions will be excused.

If you are obtaining financial assistance (TA, STAP, FA, VA, Scholarship, etc.) to pay all or part of your tuition cost, you must follow your funding agency/institution’s policy regarding “I” (Incomplete) grades unless the timeline is longer than what the University policy allows then you must adhere to the University policy. Students who receive Financial Aid must resolve/complete any “I” (Incomplete) grades by the end of the term or he/she may be placed on “financial aid probation.” If the “I” grade is not resolved/completed by the end of the following term, the student’s Financial Aid may be suspended make the student ineligible for further Financial Aid.

Students are responsible for meeting the guidelines of Tuition Assistance and Veterans Assistance. See the education counselor at your local education center for a complete description of your TA or VA requirements.

OU faculty will submit grades online through ONE not later than 30 days after the course end date. Course end dates are approximately one calendar month after the final seminar date on this syllabus and are provided on the official scheduling website for reference.

Academic Integrity and Student Conduct 

Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship. Academic assignments exist to help students learn; grades exist to show how fully this goal is attained. Therefore all work and all grades should result from the student's own understanding and effort.

Academic misconduct is any act which improperly affects the evaluation of a student’s academic performance or achievement. Misconduct occurs when the student either knows or reasonably should know that the act constitutes misconduct. Academic misconduct includes: cheating and using unauthorized materials on examinations and other assignments; improper collaboration, submitting the same assignment for different classes (self-plagiarism); fabrication, forgery, alteration of documents, lying, etc…in order to obtain an academic advantage; assisting others in academic misconduct; attempting to commit academic misconduct; destruction of property, hacking, etc…; intimidation and interference with integrity process; and plagiarism. All students should review the Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity at http://integrity.ou.edu/students_guide.html 

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. All students should review policies regarding student conduct at http://studentconduct.ou.edu/ 

Accommodation Statement

The University of Oklahoma is committed to making its activities as accessible as possible. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please contact your local OU Site Director.

Adjustment for Pregnancy/Childbirth-Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact the professor as soon as possible to discuss. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Please see http://www.ou.edu/content/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs.html. 

Title IX Resources

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no-contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at [email protected] or (405) 325-2215 (8-5), or the Sexual Assault Response Team at (405) 615 -0013 (24/7) to report an incident. To learn more about Title IX, please visit the Institutional Equity Office’s website at http://www.ou.edu/content/eoo.html 

Course Policies

Extended Campus (also and formerly known as Advanced Programs) policy is to order books in paperback if available. Courses, dates, and professors are subject to change. Please check with your OU Site Director. Students should retain a copy of any assignments that are e/mailed to the professor for the course. Neither duplicating services nor office supplies are provided.

Any and all course materials, syllabus, lessons, lectures, etc. are the property of professor teaching the course and the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma and are protected under applicable copyright.

For more information about OU Extended Campus, visit our website at: http://www.goou.ou.edu/

Statement on Respect

The classroom should provide a safe learning environment where students can express their views without fear of reprisal. That freedom of expression must be balanced by demonstrated respect for other’s viewpoints and appropriate and reasonable sensitivity, especially within the context of scholarly disagreement.  Disrespectful or uncivil dialogue (including, but not limited to, personal attacks, insults, or harassment) will not be tolerated.

Recording Devices/Phones/Computers

It is important for students to be fully present during class to fully benefit from lectures, discussions, and experiential assignments. Class sessions may not be tape-recorded. All telephones and pagers should be turned off or placed on silent mode. Computers may not be used during class. Students who require an exception to this policy should discuss exceptional circumstances with the professor.

Firat Demir, Ph.D.

Education

• PhD. in Economics, University of Notre Dame, 2006.
• M.A. in Economics, University of Notre Dame, 2002.

Current Positions

• Professor, Department of Economics, University of Oklahoma, 2018 – present.
• Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Oklahoma, 2012 – 2018.
• Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University of Oklahoma, 2006 – 2012.

Frequently Taught Courses

• ECON 5633 International Economics – Finance
• ECON 5990 Comparative Economic Systems
• ECON 5853 World Economic Development

Major Areas of Teaching and Research Interest

• Open Economy Macroeconomics
• Development Economics
• Political Economy

Representative Publications and Presentations

• “South-South Trade and Finance in the 21^st Century: Rise of the South or a Second Great Divergence.” Anthem Press, 2016 (with O.S. Dahi).

Publications in Refereed Journals

• “Local Corruption, Total Factor Productivity and Firm Heterogeneity: Empirical Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms.” Forthcoming in World Development 151, 2022 (with C. Hu, J. Liu and H. Shen).
• “Institutional Similarity, Firm Heterogeneity and Export Sophistication.” Forthcoming in The World Economy, 2021 (with C. Hu).
• “The Real Exchange Rate and Development: Theory, Evidence, Issues, and Challenges.” Forthcoming in Journal of Economic Surveys, 2022 (with A. Razmi).
• “Effects of Motherhood Timing, Breastmilk Substitutes and Education on the Duration of Breastfeeding: Evidence from Egypt.” World Development 133, 2020 (with P. Ghosh and Z. Liu).
• “Effects of Cultural Institutes on Bilateral Trade and FDI Flows: Cultural Diplomacy or Economic Altruism?” The World Economy 43(9): 2463-2489, 2020 (with H. Im).
• “Destination Institutions, Firm Heterogeneity and Exporter Dynamics: Empirical Evidence from China.” Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv) 156: 183-217, 2020 (with C. Hu).
• “Exchange Rate Movements, Export Sophistication and Direction of Trade: The Development Channel and North-South Trade Flows.” Cambridge Journal of Economics 43(6): 1623-1652, 2019 (with M. Caglayan).

Representative Honors and Awards Received

Fulbright Award, University of Montenegro, 2015-2016; Vilnius University, 2022

Major Professional Affiliations

• American Economic Association
• Eastern Economic Association
• Southern Economic Association