Poor Economics is probably the best encounter I could hope for, considering the current situation. At the time when I need a reason to pursue a new path in my professional life, I found a book (and its incredible network of resources) that convinced me that this is the route to take.
Poor Economics is not just a book, or even, not just an award winning book of FT. It is also an intellectual movement that fights poverty basis on a sound research. It has a developed well resourced website, and finding such portal is just like magic for me.
Another linked website that I aslo find interesting is, in this encounter, is Poverty Action Lab. The lab is located at MIT, where the two authors of Poor Economics serve as Directors. In fact, the Lab is truly the lab for Poor Economics, because most of the findings and suggestions in the books came from the works of PA Lab.
This book and its ‘movement’ is perhaps another model that will complement the many efforts or models to help the world fight poverty, either to meet MDGs targets or simply to improve lives of fellow human beings.
My own passion with poverty studies and development work originated back to my undergraduate years in early 1990s. I had a chance then to study development economics and poverty with one of the most knowledgable professors in the field, Prof. Ataul Huq Pramanik.
Prof. Huq used to study and teach economics with Prof. Muhammad Yunus at Chittagong University in Bangladesh. They parted pays in late 80s as good friends; one to concentrate on Grameen Bank and the other moved to US (and eventually to Malaysia) to pursue an inspiring academic career. He has inspired me and many of his students to look at Development Economics in a different and more exciting ways.
Development studies, he used to emphasise, is not just about growth or structural transformation, but it is about human dignity and treasuring life at large. His book Human Development with Dignity is a must read. It offers a different interpretation of the worldwide studies conducted by UNDP and published annually in the format of Human Development Index.
To me, an encounter with Prof. Huq was a tipping point. Sitting in his classes was a memorable experience. I will treasure his thoughts and advise dearly.
And today, I feel like rediscovering that moment again, with Poor Economics. Prof. Banerjee and Prof. Duflo, who beautifully narrated the complexity of fighting poverty, are certainly the economists to watch for the coming decades. Although no comparison between the two and Prof. Huq, but for me to regain such passion to work is like a revelation.***
Originally published on luqyantamanni.wordpress.com, December 30, 2011: view original.
