William Easterly is a professor of economics at New York University and the author of The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Actress Deborah Mailman speaks during the UN Global Goals Flag Raising Ceremony on September 24, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. In support of the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development, Australia raises the flag representing Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. To support the ambition to 'Tell Everyone', 17 flags each representing the 17 goals will be raised at some of the most remote communities impacted by the Goals such as the Himalayas and most iconic places on earth, from the bottom of the ocean to the North Pole. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images for Global Goals)