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Musings of a Design Economist


Dignity in Design: The Costs of Exclusionary Design in Development Policy
Abstract This paper introduces the concept of dignity economics as a framework for understanding how design choices in economic systems...
8 min read


The Foundation of Progress
Economic growth and national development require more than favorable policies, abundant resources, or technological advancement. The most...
3 min read


The Multipurpose Puzzle
In Lagos, Tunde uses his smartphone as a flashlight, calculator, banking terminal, music player, camera, and business ledger. Across...
7 min read


Why Do Developing Economies Prefer to Pay Premium Prices for Better Design?
In the narrow streets of Dharavi, often called Asia's largest slum, residents live on an average of $2-3 per day. Yet walk through these...
4 min read


The Cartoon Advantage
When children in developing countries watch cartoons, something a tad bit unexpected happens beyond entertainment. Economic opportunity...
2 min read


The Power to Prosper: Energy and Economic Growth in Developing Nations
One factor stands out as a critical driver of progress in the quest for economic growth. Energy. For developing nations, access to...
3 min read
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