Economic Development and the Developmental State: Assessing the Development Experiences of Ghana and Malaysia since Independence. Issue 2 (June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dadzie, Richard B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of developing societies. Volume 29:Issue 2(2013)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2013-06
• Subjects: economic development -- developmental state -- agriculture -- Ghana -- Malaysia; Developing countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- History -- Periodicals; 909.09724
• DOI: 10.1177/0169796X13479711
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-796X

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.