Achieving the Millennium Development Goals: What's Wrong with Existing Analytical Models?

Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Vol. 14, No. 3

47 Pages Posted: 22 Sep 2005

See all articles by Antoine Heuty

Antoine Heuty

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Sanjay G. Reddy

The New School - Department of Economics

Abstract

Effective strategic choices for achieving the MDGs must be based on sound assessments of the costs and benefits of alternative policies. However, existing approaches to identifying these costs and benefits are unreliable. In particular, estimates of the costs and benefits of alternative strategies derive from implausible and restrictive assumptions, often depend on poor quality data, and are of limited value in guiding long-term decisions due to substantial uncertainties concerning the future. These weaknesses of existing analytical models can be mitigated but not overcome. An alternative to the technocratic approach to strategic planning is needed, in view of the potential damage from the use of erroneous analytical models.

Keywords: Poverty, Development, Millennium Development Goals

JEL Classification: O12, O19, O21, E19, E61, E62, E63

Suggested Citation

Heuty, Antoine and Reddy, Sanjay G., Achieving the Millennium Development Goals: What's Wrong with Existing Analytical Models?. Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Vol. 14, No. 3, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=802804

Antoine Heuty (Contact Author)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ( email )

New York, NY 10017
United States

Sanjay G. Reddy

The New School - Department of Economics ( email )

Room 1116
6 East 16th Street
New York, NY 10003
United States

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