140235 SE VM2 - VM6 - Topics in Development Economics (engl.) (2014W)

The allocation of water as a scarce resource is a fundamental problem in human development. Different from the industrialized world developing countries very often lack effective political, economic and social institutions to regulate water and avoid conflicts. Owing to their geographic location among others, developing countries are also more vulnerable to the effects of climate change which has put further strains on scarce water resources.

The course discusses problems, solutions and challenges of water and irrigation in the development world. Our discussion will be guided by new institutional economics which stresses the importance of economic, social, political and cultural factors. Among other we will cover the following topics

- Short introduction to institutional economics
- Water and irrigation in rural communities. We compare various allocation systems (market, regulation, collective action)
- How can water allocation work in urban areas? The role of utilities, their maintenance and effeciency of urban water systems
- What has been the impact of development aid (e.g. MDG 7) on national and on community level?