World Development and Economic Systems

Theory and Applications

Mainstream economics generally assumes a universalistic market-oriented economic behavior that drives countries to adopt one economic system, with marginal variations. This book extends the scope of theory and applications by asserting that other distinct behaviors evolve and dominate in other economic systems. Systemic differences arise from distinct social, political and economic behavioral-motivational types that associate with intensive agent activity in household, state and firm settings. External conditions, historical events, and agent interactions ultimately result in domination of one motivational type over others; thus determining distinct profiles of structure, conduct, and performance in different economic systems, that are generally observed in the adopting countries.

The book validates the theory empirically, traces the historical evolution of the respective economic systems in the world regions and evaluates their responses to various systemic failures such as monopoly, uncertainties, externalities and collective needs. The evaluation is extended to structural changes and system performance regarding growth and distribution.

This book draws on microeconomics, welfare economics, development economics and the international economy. The book projects the influence potential of leading countries/systems, and treats effects of displacement of incumbent leaders (US, Japan) by newcomer leaders (China, India) on system competition and on world governance.

Contents:

• Introduction
• An Integrative Theory of Economic Systems
• Empirical Validations
• Evolution and Evaluation of the Firm Intensive System in FIS-Centered Countries
• Evolution and Evaluation of the State Intensive System in SIS-Oriented Countries
• Economic Systems in the Development Regions
• Focus on China and India as Upcoming Global Leaders
• System Competition and World Governance in the Near Future

Readership: Professionals working in the areas of economic systems, transitions, development and policy making; instructors and students of economics and finance; consultants and officials in international agencies working in fields related to economics and development.
Key Features:

• Unique book that examines the topics of development economics, economic systems and world development as a coordinated whole
• The book presents a comprehensive theory that relates evolution of economic systems and world development to each other
• Analyzes historical timelines in the evolution of market- and state- oriented economic systems in western industrial and transition countries; and evaluates their recent developments and performances
• Studies empirically systemic orientations of six world development regions
• Studies changes in the influence potential of countries/systems and their impact on system competition and world governance