Branko Milanovic
Source: Getty
Why Did the Poorest Countries Fail to Catch Up?
Despite the promises made by globalization, in the last twenty years the world's poorest countries have fallen further behind the rich. In a new Carnegie Paper, Branko Milanovic debunks current development theories that explain why poorer countries have not reaped the rewards of global economic integration.
Source: Carnegie Endowment
Summary
Despite the promises made by globalization, in the last twenty years the world’s poorest countries have fallen further behind the rich. In a new Carnegie Paper, Branko Milanovic debunks current development theories that explain why poorer countries have not reaped the rewards of global economic integration. Using statistical analysis, Milanovic finds that the higher likelihood of poor countries to be involved in wars and civil conflicts is the most important determinant for their lack of growth while, surprisingly, the effects of domestic reforms or international lending were minimal.
Why Did the Poorest Countries Fail to Catch Up? reaches surprising and valuable conclusions about the effects of globalization on those who feel it most.
Click on the link above for the full text of this Carnegie Paper.
About the Author
Branko Milanovic is a senior associate in the Trade, Equity and Development Project at the Carnegie Endowment. He is also a lead economist in the World Bank’s research department, where he works on the topics of income inequality and globalization.
This is a web-only publication.
About the Author
Former Adjunct Scholar
Milanovic is a lead economist in the World Bank's research department,where he has been working on the topics of income inequality and globalization. Previously, he was a World Bank country economist for Poland and a research fellow at the Institute of Economic Sciences in Belgrade.
- Global Crisis: How Far to Go? Part IIn The Media
- Political Alternation, Regardless of Ideology, Diminishes Influence Buying: Lessons from Transitions in Former Communist StatesOther
Karla Hoff, Shale Horowitz, Branko Milanovic
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
- Unpacking Lebanon’s Gap LawCommentary
In an interview, Ishac Diwan looks at the merits and flaws in the draft legislation distributing losses from the financial collapse.
Michael Young
- Has Sisi Found a Competent Military Entrepreneur?Commentary
Mustaqbal Misr has expanded its portfolio with remarkable speed, but a lack of transparency remains.
Yezid Sayigh
- Arab Diaspora Business Communities in EgyptResearch
Arab diaspora business communities in Egypt often mirror the same systemic challenges facing Egyptian businesses.
- +4
Nur Arafeh, Yezid Sayigh, Qaboul al-Absi, …
- Saudi Arabia in Africa: Sound Economic and Geopolitical Strategy, or Resource Exploitation?Article
Largely characterized thus far by a single-minded focus on extractivism, Riyadh must commit to greater equitability in its approach to investment and development deals with Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.
Hesham Alghannam
- Destruction, Disempowerment, and Dispossession: Disaster Capitalism and the Postwar Plans for GazaArticle
Once Israel’s war in the territory is brought to an end, the foundational principles guiding reconstruction should be Palestinian self-determination, local agency, and sovereignty.
Nur Arafeh, Mandy Turner