Donors often dislike the idea of simply giving poor people cash, but it's usually the best way to help. Michael Faye (president of GiveDirectly) makes the philosophical and empirical case for cash transfers.
The idea of giving poor people cash, no strings attached, is "very unappealing" for most donors, admits economist Michael Faye -- but it's still one of the best ways to help the poor. Michael and Julia discuss the philosophy behind his organization (GiveDirectly), the evidence we have so far about cash transfers as an anti-poverty intervention, and the various concerns people have about it: How long-lasting are the effects? Does it make recipients less likely to work? Does it cause inflation?