Developmental State Capacity, Poverty Reduction and Institutional Reform

This article argues that high levels of state capacity are not a sufficient condition for consolidating autocratic rule. Rather, whether non-democratic rulers can harness the infrastructural power of the state to implement strategies of regime stabilization depends on three crucial factors: the state’s social embedding; the international context; and the extent of elite cohesion. The paper develops this argument through a case study of the military–bureaucratic regime in South Korea (1961–1987), which – despite a high-capacity ‘developmental’ state at its disposal – failed to maintain high levels of resilience.

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Uganda's 'developmental' state model faces risks

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db199214 ◽

2015 ◽

Keyword(s):

Economic Development ◽

Economic Model ◽

Poverty Reduction ◽

Developmental State ◽

Development Planning ◽

State Model ◽

National Service ◽

Content Type ◽

Annual Budget ◽

Ministry Of Finance

Subject Economic development planning in Uganda. Significance The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MFPED) has presented its annual budget framework paper to parliament, the main precursor to the 2015/16 budget. The document prioritises infrastructure-led growth through investments in transport and energy, continuing the government's shift away from the donor-led focus on poverty reduction to a state-led economic model that taps new sources of financing, particularly from China. Impacts Museveni's pledge to re-introduce national service reflects credible threats from al-Shabaab. However, the broader trend towards securitisation also remains integral to regime maintenance aims. Political fractures in Museveni's powerbase will see the president continue to use security methods to enforce his rule.

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Vietnam

Asian Transformations ◽

10.1093/oso/9780198844938.003.0018 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 450-474

Author(s):

Finn Tarp

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Economic Policy ◽

Private Sector ◽

Foreign Investment ◽

Poverty Reduction ◽

Institutional Reform ◽

The State ◽

Allocation Of Resources ◽

Magnum Opus

Gunnar Myrdal’s 1968 magnum opus, Asian Drama, pointed to the decisive nature of the Vietnamese people. Vietnam adopted a costly position on economic policy and management from 1976. When the approach taken did not produce the hoped-for results, an effective course correction was initiated in 1986. Since then, Vietnam has witnessed one of the world’s best performances in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction. Wide-ranging institutional reform has been introduced, including a greater reliance on market forces in the allocation of resources and the determination of prices. The shift from an economy completely dominated by the state and co-operative sectors, to one where the private sector and foreign investment both play key and dynamic roles, has been achieved without giving up strategic leadership and influence by the state.

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