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Developmental States in Africa? A Review of Ongoing Debates and Buzzwords
Author(s) -
Routley Laura
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
development policy review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.671
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1467-7679
pISSN - 0950-6764
DOI - 10.1111/dpr.12049
Subject(s) - developmental state , state (computer science) , political science , product (mathematics) , developmental stage theories , psychology , politics , law , developmental psychology , computer science , geometry , mathematics , algorithm
This article reviews the literature concerning the emergence of developmental states in Africa and gives an overview of debates on the usefulness of the ‘East Asian model’ for sub‐Saharan Africa. The conclusion highlights how historic developmental states were often the product of trial and error rather than a grand plan; the concept of a developmental state therefore often works less as a model and more as a ‘buzzword’ with its own uses and effects.