The Tyranny of Experts

Speaker: Professor William Easterly

Recorded on 8 December 2014 in Old Theatre, Old Building.

The admirable fight against global poverty has a blind spot on democracy and human rights, which are both good in themselves and also the most well-proven and lasting path out of poverty. Experts in development have too often unintentionally provided a rationale for oppressive autocrats and unenlightened US foreign policy in poor countries.

William Easterly (@bill_easterly) is Professor of Economics at New York University and Director of NYU’s Development Research Institute.

The Department of Economics at LSE (@LSEEcon) is one of the largest economics departments in the world. Its size ensures that all areas of economics are strongly represented in both research and teaching.