Political representatives and their directives are discredited when there is an instance of rising mortality. However, limited empirical evidence linking public health outcomes to the quality politicians. We investigate whether electing political leaders with higher levels formal education affects child survival. Using instrumental variable strategy exploiting quasi-experimental close elections, we find that college-graduate politicians lead better outcomes, i.e., a reduction in neonatal,...

This paper evaluates a randomized, over-the-phone counseling intervention aimed at mitigating the mental health impact of COVID-19 on sample 2,402 women across 357 villages in Bangladesh. We find that provision two hours support plus information improves ten months postintervention, leading to reductions 20 percent prevalence moderate and severe stress 33 depression. Our results suggest this type low-cost ($14 per person) can be effective providing rapid psychological vulnerable groups times...

We report the results of a large‐scale, multi‐year experimental evaluation System Rice Intensification (SRI), an innovation that first emerged in Madagascar 1980s and has now diffused to more than fifty countries. Using randomized training saturation design with pure control group, we find greater cross‐sectional or intertemporal intensity direct indirect exposure SRI sizable, positive effect on Bangladeshi farmers' propensity adopt (and not disadopt) SRI. large, positive, significant...

Abstract Lack of access to credit prevents poor households in developing countries from diversifying into income‐generating activities that could safeguard them against unforeseen shocks and seasonality, leaving susceptible food deprivation, even when aggregate supplies are adequate. Microcredit programmes help these financial capital improve their security situation. We examine how microcredit affects different measures security; namely, household calorie availability, dietary diversity...

Currently, about 150 million migrant workers reside in the major Chinese cities, where they are treated like second‐class citizens by local city governments and denied access to government jobs welfare entitlements, with large differences existing their treatment across cities. In this paper, we use a new unique dataset of urban natives rural migrants from 15 different cities China document differential treatment. We apply relatively non‐parametric technique, Nopo decomposition, which takes...

Abstract Delivering validated information to rural areas is a major challenge in low-income countries. In this paper, we study provision communities the context of global outbreak an infectious disease—COVID-19. Two weeks after initial lockdown March 2020, conducted randomized experiment Bangladesh and India disseminate health over phone. We find that relative provided via SMS, phone calls can significantly improve people’s awareness compliance with guidelines. also be substantially higher...

Using a large panel dataset on the labour supply behaviours of women and men within households in rural Bangladesh, we find robust evidence that effects microfinance are not symmetrical for across different occupations. We also giving access to helps smooth out seasonality via on-farm self-employment-based activities. Within households, male members' participation off-farm activities increased significantly, while women's improved but still remained at low level. Overall, results suggest...

This paper examines the impact of financial inclusion in reducing social exclusion. Utilizing a quasi-experimental setup involving 2005 Reserve Bank India policy incentivizing bank branch openings underbanked districts, we employ regression discontinuity design analysis with data from three nationwide surveys and censuses. Our findings reveal significant consumption increases poverty reduction among marginalized castes compared to non-marginalized castes, narrowing caste-based welfare...

A hidden cost of the COVID-19 pandemic is stigma associated with disease for those infected and groups that are considered as more likely to be infected. This paper examines whether provision accurate focused information about from a reliable source can reduce stigmatization. We carry out randomized field experiment in state Uttar Pradesh, India, which we provide an brief by phone random subsample participants address misconceptions. find decreases stigmatization patients certain such...

Economic growth in the East Asian economies was remarkable during latter part of 20th century, starting with Japan just after World War II, followed by Tigers and “tiger cubs” that and, most recently, People’s Republic China India. The high, sustained economic these their boom period reduced disparity between West countries (in terms standards living). source such extraordinary has been a matter great interest since then, but no attempt made so far to model political economy takeoffs...

The paper examines the association between viewing family planning campaigns on television and being aware, improved intention to use, current usage of modern contraceptives in India.The study uses detailed data currently married women from round National Family Health Survey.We use instrumental variable approach, propensity score matching method, besides ordinary least square regression technique estimate knowledge, among women.The overall results suggest that who have seen last few months...

Abstract This paper uses a randomized controlled experiment in which farmers trained on new rice cultivation method teach two other farmers. The results show that the intervention increases yields and farm profits among treated Teacher-trainees are effective at spreading knowledge inducing adoption relative to just training. Incentivizing teacher-trainees improves transmission but not adoption. Matching with who list them as role models does improve may hurt Using mediation analysis, study...

In order to determine the relative size of taste-based and statistical discrimination, we develop a simple model distinguish these two theories. We then test model's predictions caste-based discrimination by conducting field experiment that elicits patients' rankings physicians different castes years experience in healthcare market India. also run survey conduct lab-in-the-field experiments measure attitudes towards caste groups. find 47 80 percent patients statistically discriminate...