Economic Development and the Developmental State

Richard B. Dadzie
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Richard B. Dadzie: University of Hawaii-West Oahu, Hawaii

Journal of Developing Societies, 2013, vol. 29, issue 2, 123-154

Abstract: This article presents evidence on the divergent development experiences of Ghana and Malaysia. Various demographic, social, and development indicators are carefully analyzed. Factors that explain Malaysia’s development miracle are discussed. The state’s capacity to engineer economic transformation is discussed using literature on the developmental state paradigm. Malaysia’s industrial and agricultural transformation is presented as examples of the developmental state in action. It is argued that for sub-Saharan African countries such as Ghana to develop, they must carefully study the experiences of countries like Malaysia. Instead of demonizing the state’s activities, they must reassess the role of the state, its capacity to reclaim policy space, and the extent to which the state can embed itself in society to achieve developmental goals. The relevance of the Malaysian experience for Ghana is discussed.

Keywords: economic development; developmental state; agriculture; Ghana; Malaysia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jodeso:v:29:y:2013:i:2:p:123-154

DOI: 10.1177/0169796X13479711

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