Topics in Economics: Growth, International Finance & Crises

This is a macro, international finance-oriented development course, which will focus on the political economy of policy decisions. It will cover the following themes: 1. GDP growth and volatility; 2. the size, composition, and influence of international capital flows; 3. sudden stops in capital flows and financial crises; 4. the domestic and multilateral response to crises, including the role of fiscal adjustment, external financing, and debt restructuring; 5. We will draw on several country case-studies and students will be encouraged to undertake short research assignments to deepen their own policy interests.