In my new (and first!) working paper, I address the question of whether agricultural cooperatives can benefit the poorest producers while maintaining market competitiveness. Using a dataset that covers 2,856 households across 108 smallholder livestock cooperatives in Nepal, I investigate the inclusive-performance tradeoff in agricultural cooperatives. My results suggest that including the most vulnerable producersContinue reading “Investigating the Inclusive-Performance Tradeoff in Agricultural Cooperatives: Evidence from Nepal (New Working Paper!)”
Author Archives: Scott Miller
Development in a Global Pandemic
This post first appeared on P4H Global’s Redefining Aid blog. As the world shuts its doors and braces for the most challenging crisis in a century, we are all getting used to a new way of life. We self-isolate, work from home, wash our hands constantly and rely on a secure social safety net toContinue reading “Development in a Global Pandemic”
The Dangers of Disaster Relief: Holding Organizations Accountable in the Wake of a Natural Disaster
By: Scott Miller and Dr. Bertrhude Albert This post first appeared on P4H Global’s Redefining Aid blog. In recent days, we watched as a category 5 hurricane made landfall on the Bahamas and left behind a trail of devastation. In the immediate aftermath, we know that at least seven people were killed, andContinue reading “The Dangers of Disaster Relief: Holding Organizations Accountable in the Wake of a Natural Disaster”
The Case Against Empathy
This post first appeared on P4H Global’s Redefining Aid blog. I recently came across a book titled “Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion,” written by the Yale psychology professor Paul Bloom, and I am convinced that it needs to be added to a list of must-read books for anyone interested in international development.Continue reading “The Case Against Empathy”
Broken Feedback Loops and Evidence-Based Development
Fighting global poverty requires finding solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems. Solving any complex problem requires a clear and simple feedback loop. Learning from our mistakes over time is what leads us toward the solutions that work. The problem with development work is that this feedback loop is almost non-existent. AnContinue reading “Broken Feedback Loops and Evidence-Based Development”
Skin in the Game: How Good People Continue to Hurt Vulnerable Communities
This post first appeared on P4H Global’s Redefining Aid blog. The non-profit industry is ripe with good-hearted people who are passionate about changing the world. Yet, many organizations cause more harm than good and create more poverty than they alleviate. If the non-profit industry is full of good intentions, why is it plagued with poorContinue reading “Skin in the Game: How Good People Continue to Hurt Vulnerable Communities”
Haiti’s Fuel Subsidies are Hurting People – So Are Plans to Get Rid of Them
This post first appeared on P4H Global’s Redefining Aid blog. Haiti, like many low-income countries around the world, subsidizes the price of oil for its citizens. While these subsidies are intended to keep fuel prices low, they are damaging to economic growth and lead to a dependence on foreign aid. Fuel subsidies are expensive, mainlyContinue reading “Haiti’s Fuel Subsidies are Hurting People – So Are Plans to Get Rid of Them”
The 16%: Reaching a Tipping Point in Education Systems
This post first appeared on P4H Global’s Redefining Aid blog. “A bad doctor can kill a patient; a bad teacher can kill an entire generation” [1] A country’s education system is intrinsically linked to its economic growth and standard of living [2]. A country with an effective education system has better doctors, lawyers, engineers andContinue reading “The 16%: Reaching a Tipping Point in Education Systems”
Transaction Costs, Market Efficiency and Economic Development
Economic activity is defined by transaction costs. There are a world of “hidden” costs involved in any exchange of goods or services. It is widely known in economic theory that these “transaction costs” explain the way in which our economies operate. In the developed world, we have markets, firms, and technologies that all exist toContinue reading “Transaction Costs, Market Efficiency and Economic Development”
A Mile Wide and an Inch Deep – Why Organizations’ Top Line Numbers are Missing the Point
This post first appeared on P4H Global’s Redefining Aid blog. The goal of any nonprofit is to have a real, meaningful impact on people’s lives. But all too often, the way that organizations demonstrate their success is through top-line numbers that show how many people their programs reach [1]. While the scale of a programContinue reading “A Mile Wide and an Inch Deep – Why Organizations’ Top Line Numbers are Missing the Point”
Scott M. Miller 