Economic Successes in South Asia

A Story of Partnerships

Shahrukh Rafi Khan

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781032003108
• eBook ISBN: 9781000548068
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Regional Studies
• Index: Social Sciences

This book analyses economic successes in South Asia and the reasons why they emerge by offering an in-depth analysis of a few case studies against the backdrop of overall policy context and economic performance of these countries.

Offering a brief comparative review of South Asia in a global context, the book shows that the region remains an economically and socially lagging region. The author argues that within South Asia, most countries demonstrate examples of economic or social success. This book explores such successes that provide lessons for other South Asian countries and beyond. Case studies include the textile industry and microcredit in Bangladesh, information technology in India, forestry management in Nepal, surgical and sports goods in Pakistan, and human development in Sri Lanka. At the macro level, the book discusses India's catch-up growth first given the country's global importance and because of the prominence of the debate on its catch-up growth to development economics.

A novel addition to the literature with its focus on successful initiatives with broad policy implications, this book will be of interest to researchers in the field of development economics, development studies and South Asian Studies, in particular South Asian policy.

Part 1: Macro context
Developmentalism and neoliberalism

1 South Asia overview¹

DOI: 10.4324/9781003176411-2

Introduction

The World Bank’s World Development Indicators provide a valuable database spanning over half a century that enables an economic and social evaluation of South Asian economies. Using this database, this chapter first provides a descriptive comparative evaluation of South Asia with other regions.² Next, it provides a descriptive comparative evaluation within the South Asian region focusing on country successes and weaknesses. Finally, the results of simple empirical exercises that address policy questions emerging from different approaches to economic development are documented followed by a summary.

South Asian region in a comparative context

Comparing the South Asian region³ with others (Appendix Table 1.1) indicates that, overall, it remains an economically and socially lagging region. Progress or success is defined in conventional economistic and social or human development terms. Thus, per capita GDP growth, while containing inequality, export growth, economic diversification (manufacturing as a percentage of GDP), poverty alleviation and human development are the variables used to define progress when comparing regions or countries within a region.

Table 1.1 South Asian country economic and soc...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-Title
• Series
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• List of tables
• Preface
• PART 1: MACRO CONTEXT Developmentalism and neoliberalism
• PART 2: MESO CONTEXT Poverty alleviation: State and civil society partnerships
• PART 3: MESO CONTEXT Population and the environment: State and civil society partnerships
• PART 4: MICRO CONTEXT State, local capital and foreign capital partnerships
• PART 5 Summary and conclusions
• Index