Competitiveness and Pakistan: A Dangerous, Distorting, and Dead-End Obsession?

Matthew McCartney ()
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Matthew McCartney: Lecturer, Wolfson College, University of Oxford

Lahore Journal of Economics, 2012, vol. 17, issue Special Edition, 213-241

Abstract: Competitiveness has become a mantra and organizing framework for much government policymaking in Pakistan and beyond. Rarely does anyone question the concept and use of the competitiveness paradigm itself. Krugman (1994) argues that this ”obsession with competitiveness is both wrong and dangerous.” This article draws from Krugman’s work and examines the use (or abuse) of the concept of competitiveness in the context of contemporary Pakistan. We focus on three recent and influential reports on competitiveness in Pakistan by the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and Competitiveness Support Fund, and agree with Krugman’s negative view.

Keywords: Competitiveness; policy; Pakistan. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E60 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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