Basic knowledge of Econometrics. It is also recommended to take Applied Economics first.

The subject offers an overview of the field of economic development. The objective of the course is to understand how public economic policy tools can be used to improve economic and social performance and well-being within low-income countries. Economic development is a multidimensional concept, which includes wealth and income, but also health, education, gender equality, the environment, political freedoms, absence of discrimination based on income, ethnicity, religion, political preferences... In this course we will analyze how to improve the living conditions of the inhabitants of developing countries. Every week we will analyze a particular topic: health, education, etc., and we will comment on recent scientific articles. We will focus on current issues and key areas of debate on public policy. From a microeconomic perspective, we will try to understand how the inhabitants of developing countries make their decisions, decisions that are often very complex and can have serious consequences. Although many people live on less than $2.15 a day, deciding how to spend it, given the constraints they face, is not simple. Why do the poor go less to schools and health services? Why don't they vaccinate their children, don't buy medicine, and buy things like coffee? Do microcredits work? Why do they have more children? How do they act when institutions do not work and property rights are not well defined? Why don't they invest in improving agricultural technology? Why are there fewer women than men in some countries? How will climate change affect them, and what consequences does pollution have in these countries? We will also analyze questions at a more macroeconomic level: the importance of institutions in developing countries, corruption, does democracy improve growth and well-being in these countries? Should they have more women or individuals from minority groups in parliaments? The focus of the subject will be fundamentally empirical. We are going to base ourselves on empirical evidence and articles with simple methodology that analyze how to solve all these problems giving credible results.

K1: Understand democratic principles and values, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, with special emphasis on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality, non-discrimination, universal accessibility principles, and the fight against climate change. K3: Acquire knowledge of the theories and techniques specific to Economics, employing appropriate terminology and the scientific method. K4: To understand the functioning of the economy as the efficient allocation of scarce resources, including the importance of equity. K5: Know quantitative and qualitative research techniques, and be able to discern which are the most appropriate to apply in the field of economics. K6: Comprehend the economic and social impact of various public policies on different agents and in diverse socioeconomic contexts. K7: Understand the economic variables that regulate the economy and govern the behaviour of agents. K8: Understanding economic institutions K9: Identify the economic, political, and social framework for the activities of various economic, political, or social agents. K10: Understand the fundamental elements of the economic environment from the perspective of different theories and various economic agents. S1: To plan and organize team work making the right decisions based on available information and gathering data in digital environments. S2: Exploit information by interpreting relevant data, avoiding plagiarism, and adhering to academic and professional conventions within the field of study, with the ability to evaluate the reliability and quality of the information. S3: Apply the knowledge acquired in the degree program to rigorously, accurately, and scientifically identify socioeconomic processes and propose potential solutions. S4: Manage and develop autonomous learning within the field of Economics. S5: Formulate, debate, and defend critical and ethical arguments related to Economics. S6: Identify, collect, interpret and manage relevant information on economic issues, using the appropriate concepts and methodologies of analysis. S7: Design economic and social programs to address the needs of economic agents. S9: Derive relevant economic information from the data, and be able to process it to answer the questions of interest S11: Describe and analyze economic problems within a specific social context. S12: Model and quantitatively interpret specific economic issues C2: Communicate effectively to different audiences knowledge, methodologies, ideas and solutions in the field of study. C3: Independently develop and defend a problem within the disciplinary scope of the degree, proposing well-founded solutions through the application of the knowledge, skills, tools, and strategies acquired or developed throughout the degree program. C5: Use appropriate statistical and econometric tools to address and solve economic problems. C6: Integrate democratic principles and values, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, into the professional sphere.

Introduction Institutions Decentralization and public goods Regulation and development Health (I & II) Education (I & II) Environment and development Media, policy and development Social capital and social networks Land redistribution Credit, savings and insurance Property rights

The main lectures will include the theoretical content of the subject, but in them we will also comment on recent articles and current topics. There will be two multiple choice tests: one on the first part of the syllabus and one at the end of the course (second part of the syllabus). In the recitations, students will present short summaries of scientific papers related to what we see in the theory class. They will also expand the information with recent data, information on NGOs, information on development programs or specific countries (to be chosen by the students), always related to the theme of the week. Half of the presentation will be the summary of the paper, and the rest of the material the other half.