We then assess the empirical evidence on these issues using a number of key examples. A wide range of institutional reforms in developing countries have attempted to redistribute land or stregthen property rights over land. We first trace out the theory of why institutional reforms which focus on changing the structure of property rights in rural areas may affect poverty and productivity. We then evaluate the impact of a number of land reform episodes to ascertain whether the empirical evidence is in line with theoretical predictions. We survey the evidence on the impact of expanding primary education programmes and based on this analysis highlight directions for further reform.
Diversification is thus central to modernisation.
Here we examine which factors drive diversification and how public policies can be designed to encourage these processes. The role of mass media in making governments responsive to the needs of citizens is a relatively neglected area in economics. We begin by sketching a model where there is a role for media in enhancing government responsiveness based on asymmetric information between citizens and government. We then use the specific example of disaster relief in Indian states to examine whether mass media plays a role in enhancing government responsiveness to droughts and floods. We first review the theory as to why group functioning might affect policy implementation.