The UN says “Development is the expansion of people’s freedom to live long, healthy and
creative lives; to advance other goals they have reason to value; and to engage actively in
shaping development equitably and sustainably on a shared planet.”

In its most simple definition, economic development is improvements in citizens’ standards of
living. This is a topic that is at the forefront of economic debate and discussion. What is included
in improving living standards? How do we achieve development? What is hindering it? How
will technological change impact development as we move forward? These are the questions
debated by key economic thinkers such as Krugman, Ha Joon Chang and Collier and it is these
questions that we will focus on over our 10-week module.