Randomized Controlled Trials and Policy Making in Developing Countries

Twenty years ago, randomized controlled trials testing social policies were essentially unheard of in developing countries, although there were prominent examples in developed economies. Today their number, scale and scope is much greater than could probably have been imagined. This talk will take stock of the role that randomized controlled trials have played to date, and can play in the future, in guiding policy. We will try to assess both successes and tribulations, challenges and promises.