In this course, we try to solve the puzzles of why some countries are so rich and some are so poor and why some countries grow so quickly and some grow so slowly. After introducing the basic analytical framework, we will investigate various possible reasons in explaining the oserved country differences. Those possible explanations include differences in countries' investment rates, population growth rates, human capital accumulation rates, production technologies, openness to international trade, and government policies. Issues of income inequality and their effect on economic growth will also be addressed. This course is designed for Economics majors or minors who have fulfilled the following prerequisites, and master level students from other departments, such as the Regional Economic and Social Development Department. Pre-req: 49.201 Economics I (Microeconomics) 49.202 Economics II (Macroeconomics)
