William Easterly

William Easterly is an economist known for analyzing international development and aid effectiveness. He critiques large-scale government programs and aid efforts, arguing that they often fail to empower individuals or foster sustainable growth. Instead, he advocates for solutions that encourage local entrepreneurship and personal initiative, believing that people, not governments or charities, are best positioned to improve their lives. Easterly emphasizes transparency, accountability, and the importance of respecting individual incentives in development policies. His work encourages a shift from top-down aid approaches to more decentralized, market-based strategies that enable countries to grow organically.