Paul CollierPaul Collier, an award-winning Oxford University economist, is a self-described Africanist who researches the effects of civil war, aid, and the “problems of democracy” in societies that have lots of resources but low incomes.
He is so far best known as the author of The Bottom Billion; his latest book, Wars, Guns, and Votes, has just been published. And he blogs here.
Both of Collier’s parents left school when they were 12, and his father ran a small shop that kept the family “just about afloat,” Collier recalls. “His frustration at limited opportunities has, for me, been the spur to working on Africa. I do not see Africa as romantically different — some magical ‘other.’ I see it as a place where millions of ordinary people are not able to realize their potential and, like my father, lead frustrating lives.”
In just the past two years, Collier has been senior adviser to Tony Blair‘s Commission for Africa, addressed the General Assembly of the U.N., and met with Condoleezza Rice on her U.K. visit. He has also completed the first external review of I.M.F. operations for the board of the I.M.F.
Collier is a good person to ask about development economics, poverty, population growth, and just about anything else you can think of in that realm. So fire away in the comments section below. As with past Q&A’s, we will post his answers here in a few days.
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What is your opinion, and the general opinion of mainstream academic economists, on Cambridge Prof. Ha-joon Chang’s argument (as described in his books “Kicking Away the Ladder” and “The Bad Samaritans”) that developed countries became wealthy through high tariffs and protection of infant industries, not free trade, and that these countries are “kicking away the ladder” for developing countries by forcing a free trade regime on them?
Similarly, what do you think of Dambisa Moyo’s argument that foreign aid to Africa should be reduced because it engenders dependency and undermines entrepreneurship?
Having done missionary work in Haiti, I can appreciate the struggles encountered by the poorest of the poor, but I still find myself asking the same questions… Perhaps you can answer them for others: What can we do on an individual basis to ease the suffering of the Bottom Billion? Will it really make a difference?
As an American citizen, what actions can I take to improve conditions for the bottom billion? Is there federal legislation I can advocate for or a charity I can donate to? I greatly enjoyed reading your book.
Kathleen lisson
How much of development or underdevelopment do you put down to luck? Luck might include resource endowments, geography, leadership of single party states and certain investments paying off.
why do those in favor of international “free trade” not fight for international free movement of labor to match the free flow of capital?
why have agricultural subsidies/trade barriers continued- why has the doha round not worked- and how can average citizens contribute to ending agricultural subsidies?
What do you think of Frantz Fanon’s argument that financial aid to Africa is a responsibility of the ex-colonial powers of the world? Is shifting public perception away from a discourse of “foreign aid” towards a discourse of debt and recompensation for past damages necessary, and if so, how can we go about doing it?
what do you consider to be the role of academia in sustainable development? How easy is it to jump from academia to “development activism” or to a more active role in development or government?
I am an engineer with experience in a variety of computer-related fields. I have two questions.
I have free time now that I’d be willing to donate to organizations serving the poorest of the poor. What should I do?
Also, my wife is in medical school and we’re considering moving to a poor country that needs doctors once she’s done her residency. What would be the best way for me to use my technical skills on the ground – Should I try and invest my time in volunteering to help build the technology infrastructure of poor places (if possible) or should I work with individuals to help as many as possible learn useful technical skills?