In a world of increasing complexity, politicians have only limited information about the relationship of policies and the outcomes. They often make use of simplified heuristics, i.e. policy beliefs. Hence, an influence opportunity for interest groups occurs: informational lobbying. It...

This dissertation includes three empirical essays on development economics and one on the economics of education. The first essay (co-authored by Stephan Klasen) is a contribution to the debate surrounding the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the on-going debate about what international...

Livestock plays an important role in the Sudanese economy and shares almost 50% of the total agricultural exports. Although livestock trade is a prevalent and important economic activity in Sudan, still little attention is given to develop its markets and almost negligible caution is given for...