For democracy to function and economies prosper, people need to believe that their fellow citizens are trustworthy: that they are well intentioned, will honor commitments and will not take advantage of them. When people have little to no information about others, it is difficult to believe that. The fact that Latin America and the Caribbean has the lowest rates of trust in … [Read more...] about Employing Information to Boost Citizen Trust and Welfare
Phil Keefer
Philip Keefer es Asesor Económico Principal del sector de Instituciones para el Desarrollo del BID. Anterior a su incorporación al BID, Philip fungió como Economista Principal de Investigación en el Grupo de Investigación para el Desarrollo del Banco Mundial. Su trabajo se centra en los factores determinantes de los incentivos políticos para el desarrollo económico basado en la experiencia adquirida en países que van desde Bangladesh, Benín, Indonesia, y Pakistán, hasta Brasil, República Dominicana, México y Perú. Sus investigaciones sobre temas como el impacto de la inseguridad de los derechos de propiedad en el crecimiento; los efectos de la credibilidad política en la norma; las fuentes de credibilidad política en democracias y autocracias; y la influencia de los partidos políticos en los conflictos, los ciclos presupuestarios políticos y la reforma del sector público, han aparecido en revistas tales como el Quarterly Journal of Economics y la American Political Science Review.
When the Lack of Trust Cripples Productivity and Growth
The government says it is progressing in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, but firms distrust the news, delaying investments and hiring and slowing economic recovery. A firm manager distrusts her own employees and refuses to delegate responsibilities, complicating efforts to invest, innovate and move into new markets. Citizens distrust firms and demand excessive … [Read more...] about When the Lack of Trust Cripples Productivity and Growth
Building Trust for Social Cohesion and Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean
It would always get a laugh from readers of Peanuts. Lucy would hold the football for Charlie Brown to kick. Then she would pull it back at the last minute and send him flying onto his back. The gag, repeated over and over throughout the years, was funny because of Charlie's absurdly trusting behavior. Having been tricked so many times by Lucy, didn't he realize she would trick … [Read more...] about Building Trust for Social Cohesion and Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean
For a Region in Turmoil, An Updated Database of Political Institutions
In a year when political institutions around the world were tested and pushed to their limits, understanding institutions and institutional features has become more important than ever. The rise of populism, increasing economic inequality, and the emergence of racial and other protests in the U.S. and globally—all against the backdrop of … [Read more...] about For a Region in Turmoil, An Updated Database of Political Institutions