Approaches to the causes of growth in the developing world

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It’s the institutions stupid” (D. Rodrik)

Critically examine the contrasting approaches to the causes of growth in the developing world. (600+ words)

AIMS:

  •  To identify the conditions which contribute to Growth
  •  To identify those nations most likely to succeed in this endeavour
  • To analyse the performance of the NICS and assess the lessons of their experience for LDCs in general
  • To assess the nature of growth in developing countries.

Reading

Rodrik D “Growth Strategies” available at
http://www.hks.harvard.edu/fs/drodrik/Research%20papers/GrowthStrategies.pdf

See in particular Rodrik’s most recent contribution to examining growth at http://www.sss.ias.edu/files/pdfs/Rodrik/Research/Structural-Change-Fundamentals-and-Growth-An-Overview_revised.pdf

Acemoglu D and Robinson J.A. (2012) Why Nations Fail, New York: Crown

What does the lecturer expect from students?

  • Introduction: What are you going to argue and conclude?
  • Which countries comprise the NICs and what is remarkable about their progress?
  • Which elements of economic policy do neo-classical writers highlight as being the main reasons for this growth?
  • Is there evidence that these can explain the rapid growth?
  • What do structuralist writers argue? Why do they argue that it is not possible to derive a universal blueprint for industrial success?
  • What do they see as the structural obstacles that other poor countries will need to overcome?
  • On balance what are the structural changes that are needed if countries are to harness their market potential and what is the role of the state in achieving this?
  • Conclusion