Essays in Irish economic development

The third chapter probes whether post-Famine growth was accompanied by falling poverty. Using a new multidimensional poverty index, I find that poverty generally declined, though year-to-year changes were volatile and crises were only partially mitigated by proactive public policy. The fourth chapter evaluates the effect of an early place-based policy on poverty and finds that it reduced poverty substantially in Ireland’s western periphery by improving agricultural outcomes.

As the world grapples with the eradication of absolute poverty, this thesis provides evidence that policies which build state capacity, strengthen institutions, and better equip governments to take a proactive role in promoting long-term inclusive growth can play a decisive role in transforming developing economies from poverty to prosperity. Together, the chapters highlight the value of large-scale natural experiments of history to extend and complement existing development literature.