Paddy Carter
@paddycarter.bsky.social
Head of development economics at British International Investment, formerly CGD, ODI, lapsed academic economist and macroeconomics hobbyist.
https://sites.google.com/site/paddycarter/
https://sites.google.com/site/paddycarter/
I don't like the personalisation aspect but like even less NGOs deciding that the whole concept of people with lots of money sending some to people with very little money, because they want to help them, is "colonial".
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
ActionAid to rethink child sponsorship as part of plan to ‘decolonise’ its work
Development charity’s new co-chief executives signal shift from controversial sponsor a child scheme launched in 1972 to long-term grassroots funding
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:17 PM
I don't like the personalisation aspect but like even less NGOs deciding that the whole concept of people with lots of money sending some to people with very little money, because they want to help them, is "colonial".
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
One thing I don't understand about Trump and Greenland is why he hasn't already done something like offer every Greenlander $1m cash and a green card. That'd be his style.
January 21, 2026 at 2:32 PM
One thing I don't understand about Trump and Greenland is why he hasn't already done something like offer every Greenlander $1m cash and a green card. That'd be his style.
Reposted by Paddy Carter
🆕 (Well-managed) aid reduces conflict
Today on VoxDev, Jacob Moscona (MIT) presents new evidence from Africa showing that aid reduces conflict when projects are well managed, but increases violence when management and monitoring are weak: https://ow.ly/slKc50Y0x2S
Today on VoxDev, Jacob Moscona (MIT) presents new evidence from Africa showing that aid reduces conflict when projects are well managed, but increases violence when management and monitoring are weak: https://ow.ly/slKc50Y0x2S
(Well-managed) aid reduces conflict
New evidence from Africa shows that aid reduces conflict when projects are well managed, but increases violence when management and monitoring are weak.
ow.ly
January 21, 2026 at 10:28 AM
🆕 (Well-managed) aid reduces conflict
Today on VoxDev, Jacob Moscona (MIT) presents new evidence from Africa showing that aid reduces conflict when projects are well managed, but increases violence when management and monitoring are weak: https://ow.ly/slKc50Y0x2S
Today on VoxDev, Jacob Moscona (MIT) presents new evidence from Africa showing that aid reduces conflict when projects are well managed, but increases violence when management and monitoring are weak: https://ow.ly/slKc50Y0x2S
I am going to try and say a few words about Jon, who was one of the most influential people in my life, and an extraordinary person (very short thread below)
Extremely saddened to learn about the passing of Jon Temple. He was a leading thinker on the economics of growth, and such a decent person.
Here’s a few fond memories of our interactions, for which I’ll always be profoundly grateful:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
R.I.P., dear Jon.
Here’s a few fond memories of our interactions, for which I’ll always be profoundly grateful:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
R.I.P., dear Jon.
I am saddened beyond words to learn that Jon Temple, the profound investigator of the economics of growth, has passed away.
https://lnkd.in/d9KMSE7B
We must have first met at several conferences…...
I am saddened beyond words to learn that Jon Temple, the profound investigator of the economics of growth, has passed away.
https://lnkd.in/d9KMSE7B
We must have first met at several conferences ...
linkedin.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:55 PM
I am going to try and say a few words about Jon, who was one of the most influential people in my life, and an extraordinary person (very short thread below)
Graham Greene's performance (as grandfather Arthur) is just incredible in this. I am sad to learn he has died. I also discovered the author Jim Thompson thanks to this.
I thought it was really refreshing to see a show where the hero is frequently visibly scared and also a bit of an idiot www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
The Lowdown review – Ethan Hawke is terrific in playful neo-noir series
Reservation Dogs creator Sterlin Harjo’s excellent crime caper has the actor on top form as a journalist taking down Tulsa’s bad guys
www.theguardian.com
January 17, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Graham Greene's performance (as grandfather Arthur) is just incredible in this. I am sad to learn he has died. I also discovered the author Jim Thompson thanks to this.
everyone sucking up to Trump is letting us know they have low confidence in there being any more free and fair elections.
Whew, this new CNN poll is brutal....
58% say first year was a failure. Net approval on key issues:
- Venezuela: -16
- Immigration: -16 (was +3 in Mar)
- Economy: -21
- Foreign affairs: -21
- Job approval: -22 (39-61)
- Tariffs: -25 (new low)
- Healthcare: -27 (new low)
www.cnn.com/2026/01/16/p...
58% say first year was a failure. Net approval on key issues:
- Venezuela: -16
- Immigration: -16 (was +3 in Mar)
- Economy: -21
- Foreign affairs: -21
- Job approval: -22 (39-61)
- Tariffs: -25 (new low)
- Healthcare: -27 (new low)
www.cnn.com/2026/01/16/p...
January 16, 2026 at 2:47 PM
everyone sucking up to Trump is letting us know they have low confidence in there being any more free and fair elections.
Reposted by Paddy Carter
🚨 Last day to register!
Join leading researchers at the Industrial Policy for Africa Conference
📍Nairobi | Feb 16–18, 2026
Explore how industrial policy can drive jobs, sustainability, & economic transformation across Africa.
👉 theigc.org/events/indus...
#IndustrialPolicy @cepr.org
Join leading researchers at the Industrial Policy for Africa Conference
📍Nairobi | Feb 16–18, 2026
Explore how industrial policy can drive jobs, sustainability, & economic transformation across Africa.
👉 theigc.org/events/indus...
#IndustrialPolicy @cepr.org
January 16, 2026 at 10:16 AM
🚨 Last day to register!
Join leading researchers at the Industrial Policy for Africa Conference
📍Nairobi | Feb 16–18, 2026
Explore how industrial policy can drive jobs, sustainability, & economic transformation across Africa.
👉 theigc.org/events/indus...
#IndustrialPolicy @cepr.org
Join leading researchers at the Industrial Policy for Africa Conference
📍Nairobi | Feb 16–18, 2026
Explore how industrial policy can drive jobs, sustainability, & economic transformation across Africa.
👉 theigc.org/events/indus...
#IndustrialPolicy @cepr.org
Grow Indigo, a @britishintinv.bsky.social investee, has won approval for the first regenerative agriculture carbon credit in Asia, putting more money into the hands of small farmers to reward improved soil health
Indian Farmers Unlock a New Harvest as Grow Indigo’s First High-Integrity Soil Carbon Credits Reach Issuance - Grow Indigo
New Delhi, January 15, 2026 Indian agriculture has reached a major milestone with the approval of Aadi project (VCS 2590), a regenerative agriculture soil-carbon project developed by Grow Indigo under...
www.growindigo.co.in
January 16, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Grow Indigo, a @britishintinv.bsky.social investee, has won approval for the first regenerative agriculture carbon credit in Asia, putting more money into the hands of small farmers to reward improved soil health
Reposted by Paddy Carter
The Weiss Fund has a great new initiative for development economists on the PhD job market to support those taking up research positions in LMICs, offering supplementary income + research funds. Please share!
Weiss Fellowship for Junior Researchers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries - Weiss Fund
The Weiss Fund Fellowship provides supplementary financial support for exceptional job market PhD candidates accepting positions in Weiss Fund-eligible countries and doing work aligned with the Weiss ...
weissfund.uchicago.edu
January 15, 2026 at 7:22 PM
The Weiss Fund has a great new initiative for development economists on the PhD job market to support those taking up research positions in LMICs, offering supplementary income + research funds. Please share!
there is also the geography aspect - not every country has enough space for solar and wind to meet total energy demand. If they can be done reasonably cheaply (which is t.b.c) SMRs presumably have more flexibility when it comes to location?
Small nuclear reactors are worth the wait ft.trib.al/3TkmzjP | opinion
Small nuclear reactors are worth the wait
Compared to other clean energy sources, the value of SMRs lies in scale not speed
ft.trib.al
January 15, 2026 at 4:42 PM
there is also the geography aspect - not every country has enough space for solar and wind to meet total energy demand. If they can be done reasonably cheaply (which is t.b.c) SMRs presumably have more flexibility when it comes to location?
I don't like paying for add on channels on prime, but I would be in the market for something that dug out classics from the pre-streaming era.
Phoenix Nights: 25 years since Peter Kay’s record-breaking TV comedy like no other
The eccentric, sharp-eyed sitcom was so loved that it was once the fastest-selling DVD ever. A quarter of a century on from its Channel 4 debut, why has it fallen so far off the radar?
share.google
January 14, 2026 at 5:11 PM
I don't like paying for add on channels on prime, but I would be in the market for something that dug out classics from the pre-streaming era.
Reposted by Paddy Carter
Ethiopia’s rapid growth masks a challenge: workers have left agriculture, but manufacturing has not created enough jobs.
Could tradable services + labour-intensive industry be the key to inclusive transformation?📈
theigc.org/blogs/jobles...
#Ethiopia #EconomicGrowth #EconSky
Could tradable services + labour-intensive industry be the key to inclusive transformation?📈
theigc.org/blogs/jobles...
#Ethiopia #EconomicGrowth #EconSky
Jobless growth in Ethiopia: Can tradable services drive inclusive transformation?
Ethiopia’s rapid growth has created few jobs. This blog explores why manufacturing fell short and whether tradable services can drive inclusive structural trans
theigc.org
January 14, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Ethiopia’s rapid growth masks a challenge: workers have left agriculture, but manufacturing has not created enough jobs.
Could tradable services + labour-intensive industry be the key to inclusive transformation?📈
theigc.org/blogs/jobles...
#Ethiopia #EconomicGrowth #EconSky
Could tradable services + labour-intensive industry be the key to inclusive transformation?📈
theigc.org/blogs/jobles...
#Ethiopia #EconomicGrowth #EconSky
a beg for help. There is a (private) database that banks use for sharing their corporate loan performance data with either other - I recall looking at its website, but now I cannot find it nor remember it's name, does this ring a bell with any of you?
January 14, 2026 at 12:37 PM
a beg for help. There is a (private) database that banks use for sharing their corporate loan performance data with either other - I recall looking at its website, but now I cannot find it nor remember it's name, does this ring a bell with any of you?
Reposted by Paddy Carter
We're up and running with the Too Much Finance conference! Prof Thorsten Beck is giving the first keynote taxjustice.net/events/too-m...
January 14, 2026 at 9:13 AM
We're up and running with the Too Much Finance conference! Prof Thorsten Beck is giving the first keynote taxjustice.net/events/too-m...
I would like it to be possible to write media regulations that correctly identifies this as lying to the public on a very important topic and punishes papers for doing it, but I fear it's not. Too hard to define.
The utterly shameless & widely covered "report" out today, claiming net zero will "cost" £9tn is based on:
* Assuming free fossil-fuel energy, free petrol cars, free gas boilers, free gas power plants etc
AND
* Including climate damages in the "cost" of net zero
I kid you not, it is that stupid
* Assuming free fossil-fuel energy, free petrol cars, free gas boilers, free gas power plants etc
AND
* Including climate damages in the "cost" of net zero
I kid you not, it is that stupid
🧵A political/media guide to the "truth" about net-zero
1) Add up costs to install & run a net-zero energy system
2) Pretend fossil-fuelled alternatives wld be free
3) Do say "eco zealots are bankrupting us"
4) Don't say "free cars if we scrap net-zero" cos it sounds ridiculous
5) That's it!
1/10
1) Add up costs to install & run a net-zero energy system
2) Pretend fossil-fuelled alternatives wld be free
3) Do say "eco zealots are bankrupting us"
4) Don't say "free cars if we scrap net-zero" cos it sounds ridiculous
5) That's it!
1/10
January 13, 2026 at 1:15 PM
I would like it to be possible to write media regulations that correctly identifies this as lying to the public on a very important topic and punishes papers for doing it, but I fear it's not. Too hard to define.
Reposted by Paddy Carter
New post: A Post Neoliberal Consensus
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-po...
Dani Rodrik, Tim Besley and others argue that there is a now a post neoliberal consenus on economic policy.
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-po...
Dani Rodrik, Tim Besley and others argue that there is a now a post neoliberal consenus on economic policy.
A Post Neoliberal Consensus
. Dani Rodrik recently wrote an article entitled “The Post-Neoliberal Consensus is here”. He argues that it comprises th...
mainlymacro.blogspot.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:58 AM
New post: A Post Neoliberal Consensus
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-po...
Dani Rodrik, Tim Besley and others argue that there is a now a post neoliberal consenus on economic policy.
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-po...
Dani Rodrik, Tim Besley and others argue that there is a now a post neoliberal consenus on economic policy.
a nice piece of evidence (from Sweden) that monetary tightening (higher interest rates) can cause inflation (not overall, merely that there is one mechanism in that direction, among others) at firms reliant on working capital www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The working capital channel
Firms relying on working capital raise prices following monetary tightening, and this paper demonstrates that the working capital channel plays a key …
www.sciencedirect.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:02 PM
a nice piece of evidence (from Sweden) that monetary tightening (higher interest rates) can cause inflation (not overall, merely that there is one mechanism in that direction, among others) at firms reliant on working capital www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
what is stopping vets from leaving, setting up their own practices, and undercutting the corporate owned ones?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Vets under increasing pressure to make money for corporate owners, BBC told
Questions have been raised about whether the pet-care market is giving customers value for money.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 12:21 PM
what is stopping vets from leaving, setting up their own practices, and undercutting the corporate owned ones?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I thought it was really refreshing to see a show where the hero is frequently visibly scared and also a bit of an idiot www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
The Lowdown review – Ethan Hawke is terrific in playful neo-noir series
Reservation Dogs creator Sterlin Harjo’s excellent crime caper has the actor on top form as a journalist taking down Tulsa’s bad guys
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM
I thought it was really refreshing to see a show where the hero is frequently visibly scared and also a bit of an idiot www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
a simple point but useful to see evidence of it: you'll miss productivity spillovers from FDI if you look at revenue productivity when increased competition is causing price cuts. Evidence from Indian manufacturing using quantities data: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Foreign direct investment, prices and efficiency: Evidence from India
This paper uses a rich panel dataset of Indian manufacturers to analyze the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on domestic firms. Detailed pro…
www.sciencedirect.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:47 AM
a simple point but useful to see evidence of it: you'll miss productivity spillovers from FDI if you look at revenue productivity when increased competition is causing price cuts. Evidence from Indian manufacturing using quantities data: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
This article only gets to the point 3/4 way through, but strong evidence of a chemical (called MPTP) cause of Parkinsons. Hope it's banned in UK (it was in US, Trump rescinded). Article notes how few chemicals are properly investigated.
Scientists Thought Parkinson’s Was in Our Genes. It Might Be in the Water
New ideas about chronic illness could revolutionize treatment, if we take the research seriously.
www.wired.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:32 AM
This article only gets to the point 3/4 way through, but strong evidence of a chemical (called MPTP) cause of Parkinsons. Hope it's banned in UK (it was in US, Trump rescinded). Article notes how few chemicals are properly investigated.
This omits the most important information which is the starting salaries of lecturers at different universities (with some helpful comparisons to wages in the private sector).
What is an economics PhD? Should I do an economics PhD? And how should I prepare and apply to a PhD programme?
Assistant Professor of Economics Abdoulaye Ndiaye outlines everything you need to know about a PhD in economics. https://voxdev.org/topic/everything-you-need-know-about-phd-economics
Assistant Professor of Economics Abdoulaye Ndiaye outlines everything you need to know about a PhD in economics. https://voxdev.org/topic/everything-you-need-know-about-phd-economics
Everything you need to know about a PhD in economics
A set of answers to many of the most common questions about economics PhDs, including: What is an economics PhD? Should I do an economics PhD? And how should I prepare and apply to a PhD programme?
voxdev.org
January 11, 2026 at 6:26 PM
This omits the most important information which is the starting salaries of lecturers at different universities (with some helpful comparisons to wages in the private sector).
Anyone one looking for well written escapism, also of some historical interest, I have loved Larry McMurty's Lonesome Dove trilogy. I'd not normally think of reading a Western.
January 11, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Anyone one looking for well written escapism, also of some historical interest, I have loved Larry McMurty's Lonesome Dove trilogy. I'd not normally think of reading a Western.
so far I've tried to get by without learning a damn thing about crypto and blockchain but this (2hr) "recent developments in the economics of ... " lecture might we where I start
www.aeaweb.org/webcasts/202...
www.aeaweb.org/webcasts/202...
Recent Developments in the Economics of Cryptocurrencies and Blockchains
www.aeaweb.org
January 10, 2026 at 1:29 PM
so far I've tried to get by without learning a damn thing about crypto and blockchain but this (2hr) "recent developments in the economics of ... " lecture might we where I start
www.aeaweb.org/webcasts/202...
www.aeaweb.org/webcasts/202...