If it is the case that dollar for dollar, donation to effective Global Health and Development charities can be shown to contribute to economic growth more efficiently than typical investment (which I believe is the case) the studies showing this need to be readily available and trumpeted by EAs. I would think this is actually the case because of how cheaply these interventions tend to activate and cultivate human capital, but it’s not an area that I’ve studied. If I recall correctly, I was surprised that some 80k guests expressed skepticism that such charities were an effective means to promote economic growth.
Of course, there are factors other than contribution to economic growth, such as curtailment of suffering, that are important too. But if there is a strong rejoinder to the investment >growth > welfare argument, it should be readily deployable not just by an EA PR agency, but by the rank and file.
If it is the case that dollar for dollar, donation to effective Global Health and Development charities can be shown to contribute to economic growth more efficiently than typical investment (which I believe is the case) the studies showing this need to be readily available and trumpeted by EAs. I would think this is actually the case because of how cheaply these interventions tend to activate and cultivate human capital, but it’s not an area that I’ve studied. If I recall correctly, I was surprised that some 80k guests expressed skepticism that such charities were an effective means to promote economic growth.
Of course, there are factors other than contribution to economic growth, such as curtailment of suffering, that are important too. But if there is a strong rejoinder to the investment >growth > welfare argument, it should be readily deployable not just by an EA PR agency, but by the rank and file.