Promoting Global Economic Growth and Development

In an interview, author Dani Rodrik talked about the effectiveness of the economic policies of various countries, as well as the feasibility of widespread growth and the alleviation of poverty. He does not think most poor countries in the world face a real tradeoff between improving human rights and improving the material condition of the poor. On the one hand, improving human rights does not necessarily cost any money; it is just a function of treating individuals with the dignity that they require and enforcing certain universal standards like freedom of speech and freedom of association. He does not think anybody seriously believes in the Washington Consensus anymore. Now there is much greater appreciation for policies and economic strategies that are context specific, grounded in the realities of individual countries, whereas by the Washington Consensus, countries are given a list of 10 to 15 general things that they ought to be doing as best as they can.