Best Quote by Abhijit Banerjee
“Well-designed subsidies help the poor make the best of whatever opportunities they have; poorly designed ones either do very little or actually make things worse for them.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Poor Economics by Abhijit Banerjee & Esther Duflo, 2011
Subsidies that are well targeted and simple enable low‑income people to use existing chances, while complex or poorly targeted aid can waste resources or create harmful incentives.
In simple terms: Good subsidies help the poor; bad ones hurt.
Key Takeaway
Design aid to be clear, targeted, and easy to use.
Themes
poverty alleviation
public policy
economic design
Mood
hopeful
analytical
Type
policy
economic
educational
When to use this quote
- rural micro‑enterprise
- healthcare access
- education scholarships
- agricultural inputs
Key Concepts
targeting efficiency
incentive structures
behavioral economics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can policymakers ensure subsidies reach the intended beneficiaries?
- What safeguards prevent perverse incentives?
A Different Perspective
If subsidies are too complicated, they may be underused or cause dependency.
![“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. [Inaugural Address, January 20 1961]” quote by John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5da/john-f-kennedy-246_assistance_if-a-free-society-cannot-help-the-many-w_256898.jpg)
