Development Economics - A Comprehensive Economics Course

Name: Development Economics - A Comprehensive Economics Course
Rating: 4.7 (339 reviews)

A Course Designed to Give You a Better Understanding How Development Works--Perfect for University and Adult Learners!

Created byBrad Cartwright

Last updated 1/2026

English

What you'll learn

A Love of Development Economics that I hope is contagious!
A Thorough Understanding of the main principles of Development Economics!
A Thorough Understanding of the complexities of International Development
A Thorough Understanding of the impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Developing Nations
A Thorough Understanding of the relationships between Developed and Developing Nations
A Thorough Understanding of the Complexities of Receiving Government aid for Developing Nations
A Better Understanding of Global Politics - as Economics is the backbone of all political thought!

Course content

8 sections • 40 lectures • 5h 14m total length

Welcome to Development Economics! Introduction and Overview of Course11:48
Compare economic growth and economic development through welfare and living standards. Use GDP and the Human Development Index to gauge progress, including health, education, and social indicators.
Lesson 1: Introduction and Sources of Economic Growth8:43
Identify how growth drives development through four sources: natural factors, human capital, physical capital and technological factors, and institutional factors - illustrated by Chile's copper and Nicaragua's infrastructure.
Lesson 2: Does Economic Growth Lead to Economic Development?10:47
Lesson 3: Common Characteristics of Developing Nations9:37
Explore common characteristics of developing nations, including low standard of living, low incomes and inequality, poor health, inadequate education, high population growth, unemployment, dependence on agriculture, and imperfect markets.
Lesson 4: Diversity Among Developing Nations9:39
Lesson 5: International Development Goals5:25
Closing Remarks: Economic Development0:54
Explore how economists in development economics measure development and human well-being across regions, building on growth concepts and comparing characteristics and diversity among developing nations.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Measuring Economic Development5:27
Lesson 2: The Poverty Cycle12:24
Explore how the poverty cycle links low income, education, health, and savings to create a poverty trap, and see how education can break generational poverty and reduce relative poverty.
Lesson 3: Single Indicators of Economic Development7:29
Examine single indicators of development—financial measures (GDP and GNP per capita, PPP), health metrics (life expectancy, infant mortality), and education measures (adult literacy, net enrolment in primary education).
Lesson 4: Composite Indicators of Economic Development12:33
Closing Remarks: Measuring Economic Development1:54
Explore how economists measure development by analyzing indicators and factors like education, health care, safety, security, and infrastructure that shape a country's progress.

Lesson 1: Introduction to International Trade and Economic Development3:22
Lesson 2: Barriers to Economic Development9:15
Lesson 3: Overview of Trade Strategies for Economic Development4:37
Explore trade strategies for developing nations to engage the global market, including import substitution, export promotion, trade liberalization, bilateral and regional agreements, and diversifying the things made for export.
Lesson 4: Import Substitution8:49
Lesson 5: Export Promotion11:01
Lesson 6: Trade Liberalization8:43
Lesson 7: Bilateral and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs)2:57
Lesson 8: Diversification4:19
Lesson 9: Development Strategies (Free and Fair Trade)7:13
Closing Remarks: International Trade and Economic Development2:38

Lesson 1: Introduction to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Economic Developm7:25
Explore the advantages and disadvantages of FDI in developing nations, including job creation, market expansion, political influence, and regulatory and labor considerations.
Lesson 2: Advantages of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)5:24
Lesson 3: Disadvantages of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)12:47
Closing Remarks: Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Development2:11

Lesson 1: Introduction to Aid, Debt, and Economic Development9:23
Lesson 2: Types of Aid17:13
Lesson 3: Concerns About Aid12:46
Lesson 4: Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)11:06
Lesson 5: Indebtedness13:05
Lesson 6: The International Monetary Fund (IMF)5:15
Lesson 7: Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs)14:31
The IMF's structural adjustment policies condition loans on trade liberalisation, privatization, devaluation, and austerity, aiming for growth while raising costs for the poor, including cuts to education and health care.
Closing Remarks: Aid, Debt, and Economic Development2:53

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Balance Between Free Markets and Government Inter5:10
Lesson 2: Free-Market Led Strategies6:59
Lesson 3: Interventionist Strategies5:39
Explore interventionist strategies where the government actively shapes the market with tariffs, subsidies, quotas, regulations, and nationalization, then trace the shift to market-led reforms postwar.
Closing Remarks: It's a Balance5:07

Requirements

Just a curious mind and an interest in the world around you!

Description

Hi, I'm Brad, and if you are curious about the natural tensions between developed and developing nations? Or if you want to understand how international trade, foreign aid, and policy decisions shape our world?

This Development Economics course is your guide to exploring these vital issues.

With over 40 engaging video lessons and downloadable notes, this course delves into topics like:

Introduction to Development Economics
How to Measure Economic Development
The Domestic Factors of Economic Development – Discover the internal factors that drive progress.
International Trade and Economic Development – Unpack the effects of trade strategies on developing nations.
Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Development – Explore how foreign investment impacts emerging economies.
Aid, Debt, and Economic Development – Understand the role of international aid in fostering growth.
Balancing Free Markets and Interventionist Policies – The delicate art of economic balance.

Development Economics is more than numbers and graphs—it’s the study of human behavior, the stories behind economic decisions, and the forces that shape our societies. It helps us grasp the complexities of global politics and the tensions between nations today.

This course is designed to inspire, challenge, and deepen your understanding of the world. And if my love for Economics is contagious, well, that’s intentional!

A Weekly Bonus

As a student in this course, you’ll also receive a subscription to my weekly newsletter, Just One Thing. Each Monday, I’ll send you a quick, two-minute breakdown of one key economic concept. It’s a simple, stress-free way to expand your understanding of the world, one idea at a time.

I’ve been fortunate to explore the world as a Peace Corps Volunteer, a graduate of Duke University, and someone who has traveled to over 55 countries. These experiences shape my approach to teaching Economics as a study of people—how we act, decide, and influence the world around us.

I can’t wait to join you on this journey into Development Economics. Let’s dive in and explore how economics is shaping our world!

Who this course is for:

All people of all ages interested learning about the Economics!
University Students Studying Development Economics, Global Politics, International Development, International Business!
Adult Learners who want to know about the complexities of International Development!
And ESPECIALLY adults who had a horrible Economics teacher in university!

Development Economics - A Comprehensive Economics Course

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Unit 1: Economic Development7 lectures • 57min

Unit 2: Measuring Economic Development5 lectures • 40min

Unit 3: Domestic Factors and Economic Development1 lecture • 16min

Unit 4: International Trade and Economic Development10 lectures • 1hr 3min

Unit 5: Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Development4 lectures • 28min

Unit 6: Aid, Debt, and Economic Development8 lectures • 1hr 26min

Unit 7: The Balance Between Free Markets and Government Intervention4 lectures • 23min

Thank You and Stay in Touch!1 lecture • 2min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: