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2011-05-15

Development models

Comments Sandy Gordon “India and China: Mega-population, mega-corruption, mega-growth”, May 10th, 2011, http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/05/10/mega-population-mega-corruption-mega-growth/

Sandy Gordon's post indirectly raises a question, that is, is there a best model for a very large and developing or under-developed country to develop?

A large country is different in many respects to a small or perhaps a city country.

Professor Gordon suggests that "The Indian one delivers economic delay, but its long-term promise is rule of law and relative transparency. The system in China has provided for rapid, command-driven economic growth. When needed, land is quickly, and often corruptly, appropriated. But the Chinese system contains little promise of a long-term amelioration of the grievances of affected people."

Obviously neither is perfect, but Professor Gordon appears to prefer the India one for its long run promise.

There is nothing wrong with that, except when one considers Keynes’ remark that in the long run we are all dead.

But to be a little serious, the post exposes the difficulties with development. Countries are different in their histories, cultures and social traditions, as well as values. Let’s leave ideology aside and ask a question: is there a way to optimise development, subject to the initial conditions?

Further, let’s go a step further than simple linear paths and assume that nonlinearity can be achieved, can the optimal path for development for a country mean non-democratic for some and possibly a significant period or periods on the way to final prosperity?

If the answer is yes, what would it mean for some ‘universal values’?

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