Abstract

David Ellerman, distinguished philosopher and author in the fields of economics and political economy, social theory and philosophy will be speaking on 3rd May, 2:00-4:00 p.m. in room SG1 , Alison Richards Building, Sidgwick site on ‘Rethinking private property rights, microfinance and other development fads’. David will be discussing ‘the Left-Green attack on Private Property’ and also providing an engagingly different analysis of ‘Development and its fads, such as Microfinance’.

Author of the critically acclaimed, ‘Helping People Help Themselves: From the World Bank to an Alternative Philosophy of Development Assistance’, David has worked in the World Bank from 1992 to 2003 where he was an economic advisor to the Chief Economist Joseph Stiglitz.

A recent review of his latest book-

“A towering achievement. It outdoes Sen and Hirshman in its reach across economics, management theory, psychology, sociology, mathematics and philosophy. The result is a coherent alternative “way of seeing” the relationship between aid organizations based in rich countries and aid recipients based in poorer ones, and some practical suggestions on how to reengage the aid agencies more as “helpers” than as “doers”. Along the way it fairly sizzles with insider insights into the workings of the World Bank.” —Robert Hunter Wade, Development Studies Institute, London School of Economics.