Growth and the case against randomista development

Abstract

Randomista development (RD), exemplified by GiveWell and the randomista movement in economics, primarily focuses on interventions that can be tested through randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, we argue that research and advocacy for economic growth in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may be more cost-effective than RD interventions. Prominent economists have made compelling arguments in favor of this, yet effective altruists (EA) have devoted insufficient attention to them. Assessing the soundness of these arguments should be a priority for current generation-focused EA. While improving health is not the best way to increase growth, and a research effort could uncover growth-focused interventions more effective than GiveWell’s top charities, economic growth is not the sole measure of human welfare. EA should prioritize assessing ways to increase human welfare beyond the constraints of RD, considering interventions that cannot be tested by RCTs.