Taxation without documentation
New study shows ‘informal taxation’ in developing countries is far greater than suspected, supporting public works — and adding a burden for the poor.
In the World: New water-filter factory in Ghana
After years of development, production of ceramic-pot water filters should soar with opening of new facility.
Life on a dollar a day
In Poor Economics, Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo open a window into the lives of the world’s poorest people, and suggest new remedies to combat poverty.
Paul Farmer on Rebuilding Haiti
Sponsored by MIT Program in Science, Technology, and Society, Arthur Miller Lecture on Science and Ethics
Tech support?
Contrasting views on display as MIT researchers debate how technology can curb global poverty.
In the World: Turning waste into profit
Students aim to improve Kenyan slum-dwellers’ access to basic sanitation — and generate renewable energy and jobs along the way.
In the World: Health care in the palm of a hand
MIT-led student team develops mobile-device software to help improve health-care accessibility in remote regions.
Haiti’s plight
MIT anthropologist Erica James examines the psychological damage inflicted on the island nation’s inhabitants.
Moving in circles
MIT scholar’s new book scrutinizes the successes and failures of a unique government experiment meant to help America’s urban poor.
In the World: Clean Water for Ghana
MIT students help a researcher build a factory that could provide water filters for 1 million people in northern Ghana
Esther Duflo wins Clark medal
MIT’s influential poverty researcher heralded as best economist under age 40.
3 Questions: Bill Gates on MIT
After speaking about the importance of giving back, the philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder spoke to MIT News about innovation and learning at MIT
The deep roots of inequality
MIT economics student’s study of Peru shows how practices from hundreds of years ago can influence prosperity today. ‘Pathbreaking,’ says a Harvard economist.