David Roodman

Latest Impact Research: Inching Towards Generalization

It has become possible to generalize more responsibly about the impacts of microfinance.

Development as Freedom

For Amartya Sen, the Nobel-winning economist and philosopher, development is freedom. Sen’s “freedom” is not the freedom of libertarians—not merely freedom from interference—but increased agency in one’s life, increased control over one’s circumstances.

The Lessons of Microfinance History

The demand among poor people for tools to manage their money turns out to be nearly as old as money.