How Do I Choose the Best Development Economics Books?

Aside from concentrating solely on economic issues, however, development economics commonly focus on issues such as labor conditions, healthcare, and education. To choose the best development economics books, you first need to consider what you want to learn about specifically and why you have decided to read books about this subject. One person might need a development economics book for a class about emerging markets in his or her graduate program, while another person might feel that development economics is a subject in which he or she is interested. When searching for development economics books, it also might be a good idea to use book review resources and to consider the perspectives and experiences of authors.

Individuals who study development economics range from students who are interested in joining a global industry to executives who are thinking of expanding operations into new markets. Professionals who focus primarily on development economics often work for international economic agencies and for government agencies. A number of these professionals also teach at universities and write papers and books.

To choose the best development economics books, it is essential that you consider the slant or area of focus in a book. For example, if you are interested in the ways in which central banks impact the economic conditions in a developing market, you might want to read about monetary policy in developing nations. You might find development economics books, for instance, that focus on monetary policies that aim to minimize inflation in emerging markets. It also is possible to find books that focus on monetary policies that aim to achieve full employment.

Some development economics books might focus instead on organizations that specialize in working with economically developing countries. For example, a book about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could be good to learn about the positive and negative effects of Western capitalist influence on various economies and kinds of governments. Keep in mind that some authors might favor opening emerging markets to more established capitalist economies, while others might feel that opening developing nations might be ethically questionable.

When you are choosing development economics books, it is also important to think about authors' qualifications and perspectives. A professor who specializes in writing about how international trade leads to poor working conditions in sweatshops in developing economies is most likely to take a critical view of the ways in which an organization such as the IMF deals with developing nations. Others, however, might feel that bringing trade to impoverished countries can improve the lifestyles of citizens.