A Dream Experiment in Development Economics

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss a unique project carried out by 13 teams of four students each in the undergraduate Development Economics class during the Spring semester in 2012 at a private Liberal Arts College. The goal of the "Dream Experiment" was to think of an idea that promotes development, employs concepts from development economics, uses a real-world situation from a developing country and has implications for policy if the experiment goes ahead. We present details of the project s modus operandi, provide a case study as an example and highlight lessons for economics pedagogy.

JEL Classification: A22, O16