Rethinking Colonialism and the Origins of the Developmental State in East Asia

Developmental State of Ethiopia: Reflections on the Benefits Obtained and the Costs Incurred

“…However, the most remarkable experience of it with a successful socioeconomic transformation was recorded in the East Asian states between the 1960s and 1980s (Fritz and Menocal, 2007). The application of such a model enabled them to miraculously advance their economy and escape from the perils of poverty (Kim, 2009;Boyd and Ngo, 2005). As a result of this fact, scholars on the subject use the developmental state theory mainly to explain such a rapid industrialization and economic growth in the East Asian states, which are also referred as the Asian Tigers (Bolesta, 2007;United Nations, 2007;Boyd and Ngo, 2005).…”

“…Firstly, the overriding objective of a developmental state is achieving a fast socioeconomic development via the process of industrialization (Bolesta, 2007). In so doing, a shift from import-substituting industrialization to export-oriented industrialization is necessary (Kim, 2009). East Asian states achieved a rapid economic development since technocratic bureaucrats have made economic development their top priority and long term goal (Boyd and Ngo, 2005).…”

“…For a better realization of developmental state theory, a state needs to insulate itself from the demands of diverse social classes (Minns, 2001;Kim, 2009;Fritz and Menocal, 2007;Sehen and Tsegaye, 2012;Minns, 2006;Boyd and Ngo, 2005;Mkandawire, 2001). This assertion is based on the conviction that diverse local demands can detract the capacity of a state from achieving a better overall economic performance (Fritz and Menocal, 2007;Minns, 2006;United Nations, 2007).…”

“…It is stressed that -in the process of enriching the nation, the state might prefer to enrich itself and not the people‖ (Bolesta, 2007, p. 111). The close relation between economic bureaucrats and business sectors also leads to collusion or monopoly as it is witnessed in a series of corruption scandals in Japan and South Korea (Kim, 2009).…”

The Emergence of Democratic Developmental States in Africa: The Ethiopian Experience

“…The cold war period put many African states under the continuous threat to repudiate their own course of development ideology and due to the constant threat and political maneuver posed by then superpowers. However, some developing countries of South East Asia which used to be in similar low level of socio-economic development as their African counterparts began to show a dramatic economic transformation with less than thirty years' time and they eventually joined the high income groups of industrialized nations (Amsden 1992;Aoki etal 1996;Akkemik 2009;Barenholdt and Granas 2008;Chang 2002;Chin and Ho 2006;Chung 2007;Evans 1999;Gumede 2009;Johnson 1999;Kim 2009;Weiss 2004;Shim and Lee 2008;Sakong and Koh 2010;Woo-Cuming 1999 ; Zenawi cited in Teshome A. 2012).…”