Biography of a Subject An Evolution of Development Economics

by Meier, Gerald M.

• ISBN13: 9780195170030
• ISBN10: 0195170032
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-28
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The study of economic development is one of the newest, most exciting, andmost challenging branches of the broader discipline of economics and politicaleconomy. Although one could claim that Adam Smith was the first "developmenteconomist", the systematic study of the problems and processes of economicdevelopment in Africa, Asia, and Latin America has emerged only over the pastfive decades. This biography of the subject of economic development will focuson the essential ideas in the evolution of development thought and policy overthe subject's half-century of life. In concise form and avoiding unduetechnicality, it highlights the influence of development theory on policymakingand on the mixed record of successes and failures in promoting developmentefforts. The interpretation of theory, policy, and the lessons of experienceare covered in three periods: early development economics of the 1950s-60s;orthodox reaction of the 1970s-80s; and the new development economics of the1980s-90s. Gerald Meier-one of the world's most prominent leading thinkgers inthe economics of development - interprets the past treatment of developmentproblems with the present and future in mind. He re-interprets the past twogenerations of development economists in a contemporary voice. And in aforward-looking fashion, the book's perspectives should make the next generationof development problems-and development economists-more intelligible. Thereader is invited to consider whether development economists really know how toput matters right.

Table of Contents

1. Thinking About Development	3	(12)
2. The Heritage of Classical Growth Economics	15	(26)
3. Early Development Institutions	41	(12)
4. Early Development Economics 1: Analytics	53	(15)
5. Early Development Economics 2: Historical Perspectives	68	(13)
6. Orthodox Reaction	81	(14)
7. Modern Growth Theory	95	(23)
8. The New Development Economics	118	(11)
9. Culture, Social Capital, Institutions	129	(15)
10. The Impact of Globalization	144	(17)
11. Global Trade Issues	161	(19)
12. An Unfinished Biography	180	(11)
Appendix A. The Evolution of Development Thought	191	(10)
Appendix B. The Contours of World Development	201	(6)
Notes	207	(10)
References	217	(24)
Index	241