Biography of a Subject An Evolution of Development Economics

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.