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Institutions and the Process of Industrialisation: Towards a Theory of Social Capability Development

Chang, Ha-Joon; Andreoni, Antonio

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Authors



Contributors

Machiko Nissanke
Editor

José Antonio Ocampo
Editor

Abstract

Institutions were at the foundation of development economics, when it was first established as a separate branch of economics. Indeed, one important impetus behind the emergence of development economics was the recognition that developing countries have socio-economic institutions that are different from the ones that exist in the industrialised countries. The chapter provides a long term analytical perspective on the theory of institutions in economic development – from old institutionalism to new institutional economies – and critically assess todays’ mainstream view on institutions and economic development. Specifically, we engage with four main analytical issues, that is, (i) the definition of institutions, (ii) the conceptualisation of the role of institutions, (iii) the theory of the relationship between institutions and economic development, and (iv) the theory of economic development. Building on this critical review, the chapter then highlights the importance of focusing on the variety of types, forms and functions that institutions have taken historically, and even more critically on their collective nature. In this respect, we build on Abramovitz’s concept of social capability understood as “tenacious societal characteristics” embedded in productive organisations, as well as a variety of political, commercial, industrial and financial institutions. The chapter develops the idea of social capability by analysing and providing historical examples of six specific types of institutions and their role – forms and functions – in the industrialisation process. The institutional taxonomy includes six types of institutions: (i) institutions of production, (ii) institutions of productive capabilities development, (iii) institutions of corporate governance, (iv) institutions of industrial financing, (v) institutions of industrial change and restructuring, and (vi) institutions of macroeconomic management for industrialisation. The chapter concludes by emphasising the importance of developing productive capabilities, not just at the individual or the firm level but also at the sectoral and social level, in the process of economic development, and especially industrialisation.

Citation

Chang, H.-J., & Andreoni, A. (2019). Institutions and the Process of Industrialisation: Towards a Theory of Social Capability Development. In M. Nissanke, & J. A. Ocampo (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Development Economics: Critical Reflections on Globalization and Development (409-439). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14000-7_12

Acceptance Date Mar 21, 2025
Publication Date Aug 28, 2019
Deposit Date Jan 4, 2019
Publicly Available Date Oct 31, 2019
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Pages 409-439
Book Title The Palgrave Handbook of Development Economics: Critical Reflections on Globalization and Development
ISBN 9783030139995
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14000-7_12
Keywords Institutions,
Economic development,
Industrialisation,
Social Capability,
Institutional taxonomy
Related Public URLs https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030139995

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