Publications

This paper examines one channel of illicit campaign finance, namely India’s real estate sector. In developing countries where elections are costly and accountability mechanisms weak, politicians often...chevron_right

This paper argues that until recently,the World Trade Organization had been an effective framework for cooperation because it has continually adapted to changing economic realities. The Doha Agenda is...chevron_right

This paper uses a large panel database to investigate the determinants of forest clearing in Indonesian kabupatens since 2005. The findings highlight the role of dynamic economic factors in forest cle...chevron_right

Using data from Kenya, the authors of this paper find a large effect of private schooling on test scores, equivalent to one full standard deviation. This is unusual as existing studies from the United...chevron_right

This paper argues that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) may have played a role in increasing aid and that development policies beyond aid quantity have seen some limited improvement in rich cou...chevron_right

To enhance efficiency of public spending in oil-rich economies, this paper proposes that some of the oil revenues be transferred directly to citizens, and then taxed to finance public expenditures. Th...chevron_right

In this paper, the authors develop and illustrate a prototype incentive system for promoting rapid reduction of forest clearing in tropical countries. The proposed Tropical Forest Protection Fund is a...chevron_right

This report summarizes recent trends in large-scale tropical forest clearing identified by Forest Monitoring for Action (FORMA). The report and accompanying tables provide monthly estimates for 27 co...chevron_right

The Broadband Commission for Digital Development has stated that ubiquitous fixed broadband access is a vital tool for economic growth and necessary to reach the Millennium Development Goals. This pap...chevron_right

One of the most influential ideas in the study of political instability is that income shocks provoke conflict. “State prize” theories argue that higher revenues increase incentives to capture the sta...chevron_right

This brief provides an overview of the findings of the Commitment to Development Index 2011, carried out by the Center for Global Development. The Commitment to Development Index (CDI) ranks 22 of the...chevron_right

Economists and political scientists are in agreement that the middle class is vital to stability and economic growth. Yet what constitutes the 'middle class'? This paper examines the difficulties with...chevron_right

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) delivers targeted US foreign assistance to well-governed, lower income countries and places special emphasis on good policies, country ownership, and results...chevron_right

Poor governance in public construction is a considerable development issue. Governance failures can lead to the construction of the wrong infrastructure, poor quality construction and excessively hig...chevron_right

This brief provides a summary of the forthcoming second edition of the Quality of Official Development Assistance (QuODA) Assessment. QuODA aims to help fill the analysis gap with emphasis on objectiv...chevron_right