Today@Sam Article

Distinguished Lecture To Feature Top Yale Economist

April 8, 2021
SHSU Media Contact: Emily Binetti

Can democracy work for the poor? A recent study by Rohini Pande argues that though the vast majority of the poor live in countries with democratically elected governments, they lack the political power to claim a fair share in their countries’ growth. She will share her insight in Sam Houston State University’s Distinguished Lecturer Series on April 19.

Pande is the Henry J. Heinz II Professor of Economics and Director of the Economic Growth Center, Yale University. She is a co-editor of American Economic Review: Insights.

Pande’s research is largely focused on how formal and informal institutions shape power relationships and patterns of economic and political advantage in society, particularly in developing countries. She is interested in the role of public policy in providing the poor and disadvantaged political and economic power, and how notions of economic justice and human rights can help justify and enable such change.

Her most recent work focuses on testing innovative ways to make the state more accountable to its citizens, such as strengthening women’s economic and political opportunities, ensuring that environmental regulations reduce harmful emissions, and providing citizens effective means to voice their demand for state services.

In 2018, Pande received the Carolyn Bell Shaw Award from the American Economic Association for promoting the success of women in the economics profession. She is the co-chair of the Political Economy and Government Group at Jameel Poverty Action Lab, a board member of Bureau of Research on Economic Development and a former co-editor of The Review of Economics and Statistics. Before coming to Yale, Pande was the Rafik Harriri Professor of International Political Economy at Harvard Kennedy School.

Pande received a PhD in economics from London School of Economics, a BA/MA in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford University and a BA in economics from Delhi University.

The virtual lecture is open to the public and will be presented at 12 p.m. on Monday, April 19, 2021 online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF_gBBHCEC8

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