Economic Theories of Development


Book Description

PMThe author reviews the alternative analytical approaches that have emerged in development economics and identifies six paradigms: structuralist, expanding capital nucleus, neo-Marxist, Maoist, basic needs, neo-classical and dependency theory. She critically analyzes the main features of each paradigm and identifies the areas where they conflict and support one other. The book presents a coherent analysis of the different approaches to economic development and will be essential reading for economists, political scientists, and sociologists interested in the Third World. Contents: Introduction; The Theoretical Heritage; The Theoretical Debate in Development Economics from the 1940s: An Overview; The Paradigm of the Expanding Nucleus; The Structuralist Paradigm; The Neo-Marxist Paradigm; Dependency Analyses: The Seeds of a New Paradigm?; The Moaist Paradigm; The Basic Needs Paradigm; The Neo-Classical Pradigm and Its Role in Development Economics; Conclusion




Development, Geography, and Economic Theory


Book Description

Krugman examines the course of economic geography and development theory to shed light on the nature of economic inquiry.




Handbook of Alternative Theories of Economic Development


Book Description

The Handbook of Alternative Theories of Economic Development explores the theories and approaches which, over a prolonged period of time, have existed as viable alternatives to today’s mainstream and neo-classical tenets. With a total of 40 specially commissioned chapters, written by the foremost authorities in their respective fields, this volume represents a landmark in the field of economic development. It elucidates the richness of the alternative and sometimes misunderstood ideas which, in different historical contexts, have proved to be vital to the improvement of the human condition. The subject matter is approached from several complementary perspectives. From a historical angle, the Handbook charts the mercantilist and cameralist theories that emerged from the Renaissance and developed further during the Enlightenment. From a geographical angle, it includes chapters on African, Chinese, Indian, and Muslim approaches to economic development. Different schools are also explored and discussed including nineteenth century US development theory, Marxist, Schumpeterian, Latin American structuralism, regulation theory and world systems theories of development. In addition, the Handbook has chapters on important events and institutions including The League of Nations, The Havana Charter, and UNCTAD, as well as on particularly influential development economists. Contemporary topics such as the role of finance, feminism, the agrarian issue, and ecology and the environment are also covered in depth. This comprehensive Handbook offers an unrivalled review and analysis of alternative and heterodox theories of economic development. It should be read by all serious scholars, teachers and students of development studies, and indeed anyone interested in alternatives to development orthodoxy.




Economic Development


Book Description

E. Wayne Nafziger analyzes the economic development of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and East-Central Europe. The book is suitable for those with a background in economics principles. Nafziger explains the reasons for the recent fast growth of India, Poland, Brazil, China, and other Pacific Rim countries, and the slow, yet essential, growth for a turnaround of sub-Saharan Africa. The fifth edition of the text, written by a scholar of developing countries, is replete with real-world examples and up-to-date information. Nafziger discusses poverty, income inequality, hunger, unemployment, the environment and carbon-dioxide emissions, and the widening gap between rich (including middle-income) and poor countries. Other new components include the rise and fall of models based on Russia, Japan, China/Taiwan/Korea, and North America; randomized experiments to assess aid; an exploration of whether information technology and mobile phones can provide poor countries with a shortcut to prosperity; and a discussion of how worldwide financial crises, debt, and trade and capital markets affect developing countries.




Theory of Economic Development


Book Description

Schumpeter proclaims in this classical analysis of capitalist society first published in 1911 that economics is a natural self-regulating mechanism when undisturbed by "social and other meddlers." In his preface he argues that despite weaknesses, theories are based on logic and provide structure for understanding fact.Of those who argue against him, Schumpeter asks a fundamental question: "Is it really artificial to keep separate the phenomena incidental to running a firm and the phenomena incidental to creating a new one?" In his answers, Schumpeter offers guidance to Third World politicians no less than First World businesspeople.In his substantial new introduction, John E. Elliott discusses the salient ideas of The Theory of Economic Development against the historical background of three great periods of economic thought in the last two decades.




Development Economics


Book Description

This second edition of Development Economics: Theory and Practice continues to provide students and practitioners with the perspectives and tools they need to think analytically and critically about the current major economic development issues in the world. Alain de Janvry and Elisabeth Sadoulet identify seven key dimensions of development—growth, poverty, vulnerability, inequality, basic needs, sustainability, and quality of life—and use them to structure the contents of the text. The book gives a historical perspective on the evolution of thought in development. It uses theory and empirical analysis to present readers with a full picture of how development works, how its successes and failures can be assessed, and how alternatives can be introduced. The authors demonstrate how diagnostics, design of programs and policies, and impact evaluation can be used to seek new solutions to the suffering and violence caused by development failures. In the second edition, more attention has been given to ongoing developments, such as: pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals continuously rising global and national inequality health as a domestic and international public good cash transfers for social protection carbon trading for sustainability This text is fully engaged with the most cutting-edge research in the field and equips readers with analytical tools for impact evaluation of development programs and policies, illustrated with numerous examples. It is underpinned throughout by a wealth of student-friendly features, including case studies, quantitative problem sets, end-of-chapter questions, and extensive references. Excel and Stata exercises are available as digital supplements for students and instructors. This unique text is ideal for those taking courses in development economics, economic growth, and development policy, and will provide an excellent foundation for those wishing to pursue careers in development.




International Development


Book Description

International Development is a comprehensive inquiry into the field of socio-economic development founded on an understanding that economic advancement involves transformation of society. It explores successful developmental strategies but also tries to identify factors behind failed endeavours and the human costs associated with them. The book evaluates the role played by influential agents of development, such as the state and its institutions, authoritarian leaders, international organizations, donor agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society activists, and private business actors. Key features: A multi-disciplinary approach taking into account politics, economics, sociology, cultural aspects, and history of development; Examines a breadth of different theoretical approaches and their practical applications; Presents both mainstream and critical viewpoints; Addresses such complex issues as governability processes, rights of the poor, colonial legacy, armed conflict, environmental sustainability, gender relations, foreign aid, urbanization, rural development, and international trade; Suggested further reading list at the end of each chapter. This well-balanced book will be a key text for students and practitioners working in the area of socio-economic development and more broadly in development studies, the politics of development and international political economy.




Theories of Economic Development and Growth


Book Description

First published in 1966, this work summarises the theories of economic growth, both ancient and modern, and presents them in a form particularly suitable for university students, both in the developing world and elsewhere. The objective is to enable students to assess the major factors making for economic development and to encourage them to think about ways of applying their knowledge to the particular problems of their own countries. In addition there is a special survey of growth and of limiting factors in the economies of underdeveloped countries, with an important analysis of the economic results of planning in the USSR.




Handbook of Alternative Theories of Economic Growth


Book Description

Included in the text are comprehensive interpretations of subjects such as: the relationship between aggregate supply and demand and long run growth, the interaction of growth and technical change, and international and regional a vibrant and ongoing research effort to understand the macrodynamics of capitalist economies. As such, this Handbook provides a valuable springboard for further research that will continue the development of these theories, inspiring both existing researchers and those new to the field to build upon the body of work the volume represents. --