EconTalk Archives, 2011
EconTalk Archives, 2011
EconTalk: Russ Roberts, Library of Economics and Liberty
Munger on Microfinance, Savings, and Poverty
58 minutes Posted Apr 18, 2011 at 11:30 am.
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Show notes
Mike Munger of Duke University talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about microfinance. Munger argues that cultural forces make it difficult for some families to save, and the main value of microfinance is to allow a higher level of savings. Families are willing to save via microfinance even though returns can be negative. Munger argues that this counterintuitive result is possible when other means of savings are unavailable. Munger also discusses microfinance that is used for entrepreneurship and the potential role for microfinance in development.