Step into conversations that travel across continents and challenge the way you think about progress. From democracy and inequality to climate resilience and healthcare, Dan Banik explores how societies navigate the complex terrain of democracy, poverty, inequality, and sustainability. Through dialogues with scholars, leaders, and innovators, In Pursuit of Development uncovers how ideas travel, why policies succeed or fail, and what it takes to build a more just and resilient world. Expect sharp insights, candid reflections, and a global perspective that connects local struggles to universal aspirations.
Listen, reflect, and be inspired to see global development in a new light. 🎧
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Step into conversations that travel across continents and challenge the way you think about progress. From democracy and inequality to climate resilience and healthcare, Dan Banik explores how societies navigate the complex terrain of democracy, poverty, inequality, and sustainability. Through dialogues with scholars, leaders, and innovators, In Pursuit of Development uncovers how ideas travel, why policies succeed or fail, and what it takes to build a more just and resilient world. Expect sharp insights, candid reflections, and a global perspective that connects local struggles to universal aspirations.
Listen, reflect, and be inspired to see global development in a new light. 🎧
As global aid budgets shrink and new coalitions emerge, Rachel Glennerster joins Dan Banik to unpack what these shifts mean for the future of development. Together they explore how evidence, prioritization, and South–South Cooperation can drive genuine progress in an increasingly multipolar world.
Malawi has recently held another peaceful election, reaffirming its status as one of Africa’s most resilient democracies despite deep economic hardship. Dan Banik speaks with Happy Kayuni about why Malawians continue to believe in democracy even when development remains elusive.
Dan Banik speaks with Nemanja Džuverović about the student-led movement that has shaken Serbia’s political order one year after the Novi Sad train station collapse. Together they explore how a tragedy turned into a nationwide call for accountability, revealing both the fragility and resilience of democracy in the Balkans.
Jorge Heine joins Dan Banik to discuss how the Global South is reshaping world politics through a strategy of active non-alignment — refusing to take sides in the U.S.–China rivalry while maximizing national leverage. Drawing on his experiences in South Africa, India, China, and Chile, Heine explains why “playing the field” has become the defining feature of diplomacy in a multipolar world.
Dan Banik speaks with Pedro Conceição, Director of the UNDP’s Human Development Report Office, about how the idea of human development continues to shape global thinking on progress and equality. Together, they explore the latest Human Development Report (A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI) and discuss how artificial intelligence can either widen divides or empower people to live fuller, freer lives.
Joseph Asunka joins Dan Banik to discuss what Africans themselves are saying about democracy, governance, and opportunity amid shifting global and local realities. Drawing on data from across the continent, they explore youth frustration and activism, the persistence of “big man” politics, and why reliable citizen data is essential for Africa’s democratic future.
Dan Banik and Naomi Hossain discuss Bangladesh’s remarkable but contested development journey — from famine and fragility to growth and global recognition. Together they explore how politics, crisis, and collective learning have shaped the country’s progress, and what its experience reveals about resilience, accountability, and the moral economy of development.
Dan Banik speaks with Ronny Patz about the United Nations’ deepest financial crisis in decades and the ambitious reforms unfolding under the UN80 initiative. Together they unpack how politics, member state behaviour, and fragmented funding are reshaping the UN’s ability to act, and what this means for the future of multilateralism.
In the opening episode of Season 6, Dan Banik reflects on his personal journey of recovery after a medical emergency and uses this experience as a lens to explore a world in transition — one marked by fragmentation, shifting power, and the rise of the Global South. He argues that despite turbulence and uncertainty, actors across the Global South are reshaping global development, offering new possibilities for a more just, inclusive, and hopeful international order.
Dan Banik and Dan Honig explore the concept of mission-driven bureaucrats, emphasizing the importance of empowerment, trust, and autonomy over strict compliance and control in improving government performance and public service delivery.
Dan Banik and Rohan Mukherjee explore how the Global South seeks greater representation and status within the liberal international order, challenging Western-centric perspectives and advocating for more inclusive global governance.
Dan Banik and Ilaria Carrozza explore how countries in the Global South navigate the power dynamics between the US, China, and Russia, asserting their agency and strategic interests.
Dan Banik and Ian Shapiro discuss the concept of domination, the essential functions of political parties, and the challenges facing modern democracies.
Dan Banik and Sameen A. Mohsin Ali discuss the intricacies of bureaucratic capacity in Pakistan, examining how administrative effectiveness, political dynamics, and patronage impact the implementation of development programs.
Dan Banik and Karuti Kanyinga discuss the benefits and challenges of China's infrastructure investments in Africa while also considering the impact of campaign finance on political equity and governance.
Dan Banik and Lan Marie Nguyen Berg discuss the complexities of implementing climate and development strategies, emphasizing the necessity of bold leadership and innovative policies to address the existential threat of climate change amidst societal and political challenges.
Dan Banik and Jörg Ankel-Peters discuss the global challenge of energy poverty, emphasizing the need for innovative energy solutions to provide sustainable and reliable access.
Dan Banik and Elizabeth Ingleson explore the historical transformation of the "Made in China" label, how the neoliberal shift in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s was pivotal for China's integration into the global capitalist system, and the geopolitical implications of China's rise as a manufacturing powerhouse.
Dan Banik and Willem Fourie explore the complexities of leadership, focusing on the characteristics that define successful leaders and the common pitfalls that lead to failure.
Dan Banik and Obvious Katsaura explore the effects of urban inequality in Johannesburg, discussing how wealth and poverty coexist, shaping the cities’ characters and residents' lives, and the crucial role of Pentecostal churches in offering hope and security amidst social challenges in Johannesburg and Lagos.
Step into conversations that travel across continents and challenge the way you think about progress. From democracy and inequality to climate resilience and healthcare, Dan Banik explores how societies navigate the complex terrain of democracy, poverty, inequality, and sustainability. Through dialogues with scholars, leaders, and innovators, In Pursuit of Development uncovers how ideas travel, why policies succeed or fail, and what it takes to build a more just and resilient world. Expect sharp insights, candid reflections, and a global perspective that connects local struggles to universal aspirations.
Listen, reflect, and be inspired to see global development in a new light. 🎧
