Why people recommend it
Poor Economics by Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo is an influential nonfiction work that examines the lives of people living in extreme poverty and evaluates the effectiveness of various policies and interventions designed to help them. On an episode of The Ezra Klein Show released in December 2025 titled The Simplest Way to Save Lives With Your Money, guest Ellie Hassenfeld recommended the book during the discussion. Hassenfeld noted that the authors are two of the founding members of the randomized control trial movement within the field of development economics. By highlighting the empirical research conducted by Banerjee and Duflo, Hassenfeld drew attention to how rigorous experimentation can reveal what actually works in global poverty alleviation rather than relying on broad assumptions or generalized theories. The recommendation served to underscore the importance of evidence-based policy making when addressing systemic economic challenges around the world, making the text a vital read for anyone interested in international development, economics, and effective philanthropy.
Who recommended it
- Ellie Hassenfeld Recommended
Ellie Hassenfeld — 1 mention
“second book poor economics by Esther Duffel and Abig Banerjee. They're two of the founding members of this randomized control trial movement in development economics.”