Ethics, policy, and politics: A reply to Ashraf et al

In this reply to Ashraf et al.'s (2021) commentary, I defend my argument that the randomised control trial (RCT) conducted by Ashraf et al. has caused harm in Zambia. I engage with the central points made by Ashraf et al. (2021), but also discuss a broader issue that they chose not to address in their commentary: the politics and ethics of conducting RCTs in countries in the Global South and the political vision of economists who regard RCTs as a solution to poverty and global health problems.

Automated summary

This article responds to the commentary by Ashraf et al., defending the argument that their conducted RCT has caused harm in Zambia. It engages with their central points while also discussing the broader issue of the politics and ethics of conducting RCTs in countries in the Global South and the political vision of economists who see RCTs as a solution to poverty and global health problems.