ECA Talk: How Much Should We Trust the Dictator’s GDP Growth Estimates?

Luis Martinez is an Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. His main research interest is in the analysis of political institutions in developing countries, with a regional focus on Latin America. Professor Martinez's work has been published in leading journals in economics and political science. He holds a PhD in economics from the London School of Economics. 

Somik Lall is a Lead Economist in the Office of the Chief Economist for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions at the World Bank and is also Head of its Climate Economics team. Previously, he was the Bank’s Global Lead for territorial and spatial development and Lead Urban Economist in the Global Practice for Urban, Disaster Risk, Resilience, and Land. Dr. Lall joined the World Bank in 1999 as an Economist in the Development Economics Vice Presidency. He has advised senior policymakers in national governments and city mayors on key policy issues in more than 25 countries, including Brazil, China, India, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.