7. Geographic Diversity/Diversité géographique

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Countries and regions in the world experience development differently due to their unique histories, cultures and politics. Traditional development thinking divided the world into regions, however the emergence of cross-regional groupings like the BRICs and the G20 has challenged this. This section looks at the relatively unique development experiences of a number of countries: deemed to be successful developers (East Asia and Chile); where the lack of adequate development is a puzzle (the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa); and ones too big not to be studied (Brazil, China, India and South Africa).



Les divers pays et régions de la planète n’ont pas tous la même expérience du développement en raison de leur histoire, de leur culture et de leur situation politique propres. La pensée classique en matière de développement répartissait le monde en régions; toutefois, l’émergence de groupes transrégionaux comme les BRICS et le G20 est venue remettre en question cette perception. Cette section porte sur les expériences plutôt uniques de certains pays en matière de développement : ceux que l’on considère comme ayant réussi leur développement (l’Asie de l’Est et le Chili); ceux où les insuffisances du développement sont difficilement compréhensibles (le Moyen-Orient et l’Afrique subsaharienne); et ceux dont la taille en fait des incontournables (le Brésil, la Chine, l’Inde et l’Afrique du Sud.



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    Economic development in the Arab region : a tale of oil and politics
    (2013) Galal, Ahmed; Selim, Hoda
    This chapter reviews the development experience of Arab countries since World War II, arguing that extractive economic and political institutions are the primary cause of underdevelopment in the region. While macroeconomic mismanagement and oil abundance are important determinants of performance, these factors are shaped primarily by prevailing political institutions, which predate the discovery of oil. In the oil-poor Arab countries, limited progress is attributed to an authoritarian bargain in which the rulers offer economic benefits to the poor and the middle class in exchange for political acquiescence.
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    Economic development : the experience of Sub-Saharan Africa
    (2013) Ajakaiye, Olu; Jerome, Afeikhena
    This chapter briefly appraises Africa’s development experience, especially since the 1960s when several African States became independent. It reviews the development experience and development policy practice in Africa over time, recognizing that because of the diversity of African countries and their experiences, interpreting Africa’s development experience is no simple endeavor. Accordingly, careful, detailed, and contextually relevant country-level studies should regularly underpin the articulation of further development policies and programs. The appropriate mix of government intervention and market mechanisms will depend on initial conditions of each country and the pace of development over time.
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    India's economic development
    (2013) Kapur, Devesh
    There are a wide range of core functions, from regulation to security, and from social inclusion to public goods provision, where the State is and will be indispensable. This chapter examines growth and structural change in the Indian economy since independence, focusing on the key drivers and critical junctures that led to changes in economic policies and their consequences for growth and distribution. The chapter is part of the volume “International development : ideas, experience and prospects.”
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    South Africa's quest for inclusive development
    (2013) Ncube, Mthuli; Shimeles, Abebe; Verdier-Chouchane, Audrey
    The objective of this chapter is to show the interplay of ideas and experiences that have shaped South Africa’s development path in the pre- and post-apartheid era. It opens with an overview of the change in the development paradigm from the days of apartheid to democratic South Africa. It then focuses on the neo-liberal shortfalls and South Africa’s challenges in achieving high and inclusive growth, and concludes with a review of the concept of growth inclusiveness for the future of South Africa’s social democracy.
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    Chile
    (2013) Ottone, Ernesto; Vergara, Carlos
    “Development” is not only a concept but a particular relationship between state, market, and society. Chile’s achievements are tied to an effort to break through old political impasses to establish a new coalition based on a model of development that balances the roles of state, market, and society, with positive economic and social outcomes. The philosophy of the coalition and some of its policies are described. Chile is one of only ten countries since the end of World War II to have achieved a combination of rapid and widespread economic growth, consolidated democracy, and a competent bureaucracy with low corruption.
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    Brazil
    (2013) Flôres, Renato G.
    This chapter aims to understand the Brazilian political and social dynamics, identifying main features that affect the process of growth and development. The analysis covers eighty years, paying more attention to the period after 1989, and arguing that the personalities of particular Presidents, and the policies they pursued, were critical in shaping Brazil’s development experience. More than a model of development, the Brazilian experience highlights the importance of government policies, and of the divides between different social classes and regions. Brazil offers a case study of economic growth which combines both textbook and unorthodox policies.
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    China
    (2013) Lan Xue; Ling Chen
    This chapter of “International development : ideas, experience and prospects” looks beyond ideological debate and provides an account of the development process that reflects upon the mistakes and pitfalls of China’s experience. It focuses on the role of government, both as managing the evolution of an economic system, and as adaptive learning in the arena of public policy. The chapter ends by identifying challenges and prospects for China’s future development. The rapid change in every aspect of China’s economy and society makes it harder to see a clear pattern of change.
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    Asian model of development : from crises to transformation
    (2013) Tay, Simon S.C.
    This chapter of “International development : ideas, experience and prospects” evaluates the idea of the Asian model of development, the ways it might seem to differ from others, and then considers gaps and further development needs. The chapter reviews the developmental experience in Asia, especially the “tiger” economies, and considers periods of financial crises. It then looks at patterns of development emerging in the wake of crisis, as Asia seeks ways to sustain growth and deal with social, institutional, and other challenges, including efforts to increase and deepen regional economic and financial cooperation.