Wiley-Blackwell Growth and Development From an Evolutionary Perspective

The central purpose is to borrow and on occasion adapt the various tool kits offered to improve our current understanding of the development process which we see, in Simon Kuznets' terminology, as a transition from agrarianism to modern economic growth Review "The really attractive thing about this book is that it discusses economic development in an evolutionary perspective, with a very detailed catalog of ideal types, but always in a unified theoretical framework. The student will learn a lot about historical development paths, and even more about economic theory." Robert M. Solow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology From the Inside Flap Engendered by renewed interest in development, Growth and Development from an Evolutionary Perspective is a result of recent work in the "new growth theory" arena. This authoritative survey uses "comparative analytical economic history" to trace the evolution of development theory from the Physiocrats and the classical School to Solow, Lewis, and Lucas and Roemer. Through outlining historical time, typological differences across developing societies, and the transition from agrarianism to modern economic growth, the book arrives at contemporary analyses and current policies. Theoretical sections develop a general system of growth equations that focus on the central role of technology change. Students can apply these equations to sub-phases of transition as well as to the modern growth epoch. Policy-oriented sections discuss contemporary concerns with distribution, poverty alleviations, and human development as they relate to growth over time. The book identifies the policy implications of the development process, comparing East Asian with Latin American cases. In considering future policy, the book demonstrates how political economy factors suggest and enhanced endogenization of policy choices. From the Back Cover Engendered by renewed interest in development, Growth and Development from an Evolutionary Perspective is a result of recent work in the "new growth theory" arena. This authoritative survey uses "comparative analytical economic history" to trace the evolution of development theory from the Physiocrats and the classical School to Solow, Lewis, and Lucas and Roemer. Through outlining historical time, typological differences across developing societies, and the transition from agrarianism to modern economic growth, the book arrives at contemporary analyses and current policies. Theoretical sections develop a general system of growth equations that focus on the central role of technology change. Students can apply these equations to sub-phases of transition as well as to the modern growth epoch. Policy-oriented sections discuss contemporary concerns with distribution, poverty alleviations, and human development as they relate to growth over time. The book identifies the policy implications of the development process, comparing East Asian with Latin American cases. In considering future policy, the book demonstrates how political economy factors suggest and enhanced endogenization of policy choices. About the Author John C. H. Fei was formerly Chairman of the Board at the Chung Hua Institute of Economic Research in Taipei, Taiwan. Co-author of five books and more than 75 articles, Fei also served as consultant to organizations such as AID, NPA, UNDP and the National Science Council of Taiwan. A Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he taught at Cornell University and Yale University. Gustav Ranis is the Director of The Yale Center for International and Area Studies and Professor of International Economics at Yale University. Having served as consultant to such entities as The World Bank, ADB, AID, OECD, UNIDO, FAO, UNDP, and the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, Ranis is on the advisory boards, of several third-world research institutions. He has written extensively on theoretical and policy-related issues of development.