Development and Globalization
It is ESOP’s ambition to understand the viability of egalitarian market economies. What are the impacts of global competition for the distribution of income and prosperity?
Questions concerning the viability of egalitarian societies are relevant for all countries, rich or poor, egalitarian or inegalitarian. In all countries there are linkages between equality, social organization, and economic performance. These linkages are as important for the survival of the European welfare states as for the feasibility of an equitable society in general. Can Nordic-style welfare arrangements be introduced in all types of societies? Or are they only feasible in consensual, homogeneous and affluent societies with an extraordinary commitment to equality? Do the Nordic lessons have any relevance for countries that are conflict-ridden, heterogeneous, and poor? We study the feasibility of implementing welfare state arrangements in poor countries and to what extent the Scandinavian model can be understood as a development strategy. Can there be a welfare state for the poor? Welfare state arrangements are most needed where they are least developed. Welfare state arrangements in extremely poor countries could perhaps play an essential role for economic growth, social fairness, and gender equality.
Our findings
Selected publications
Cappelen, Alexander W., Karl O. Moene, Erik Ø. Sørensen, and Bertil Tungodden (forthcoming) ''Needs vs. entitlements – an international fairness experiment'', Journal of the European Economic Association.
Lind, Jo Thori, Karl O. Moene and Fredrik Willumsen (2009) "Opium for the Masses? Conflict-Induced Narcotics Production in Afghanistan", CESifo Working Paper Series No. 2573.
Harstad, Bård and Jakob Svensson (2011) "Bribes, Lobbying, and Development", American Political Science Review Vol. 105 No. 1, pages 46-63.
Baland, Jean-Marie, Karl Ove Moene and James A. Robinson (2010) "Governance and Development", chapter 69 in Rodrik, Dani and Mark Rosenzweig (eds.), Handbook of Development Economics, Vol. 5, pages 4597-4656, North Holland.
Almås, Ingvild (2008) "Equalizing income versus equalizing opportunity: A comparison of the United States and Germany", in Bishop, John and Buhong Zheng (eds.), Inequality and Opportunity, pages 129-156, Emerald.
Lind, Jo Thori and Karl O. Moene (2011) "Miserly Developments", Journal of Development Studies Vol. 47 No. 9, pages 1332-1352.
Song, Zheng, Kjetil Storesletten and Fabrizio Zilibotti (2011) "Growing Like China", American Economic Review Vol. 101 No. 1, pages 202-242.
Golombek, Rolf, Mads Greaker and Michael Hoel (2010), "Carbon Taxes and Innovation without Commitment", The B.E. Journals in Economic Analysis & Policy Vol. 10 No. 1.
Core publications by subject
List of core publications by subject (pdf)