Lessons for African economies from Irish and East Asian industry policy

Abstract

When comparisons in terms of industrial policy lessons to be learned have taken place, it has tended to be solely vis-a-vis the ‘development state’ East Asian experience. This paper broadens the analysis and considers lessons which African countries can learn from other so-called ‘tiger’ economies including Ireland and the East and South Asian countries. We recognise that the latter are indeed clearly significant as many African countries at the time of independence had economic structures and levels of income quite similar to East Asian countries, yet have grown at vastly different rates since then. Exploring why this has been the case can thus offer important insights into possibilities for industrial policy. Yet this comes with some health warnings over East Asian experience. We suggest that another important contribution can come by looking at the Irish example, given its emphasis on corporatism rather than simply relying on state direction in the operation of industrial policy. The Irish model is also more democratic in some senses and has protected workers’ rights during the development process in contrast to the often highly dirigisite East Asian model. Overall we suggest that some immediate actions are needed, notably with regard to the financial system in small African economies. Without such changes, a poorly functioning financial system will continue to keep investment at low levels. In relation to the small size of the African economies, the paper recommends regional integration and sufficient overseas development assistance (ODA) for infrastructural development. It is also critical to note that the various small African economies each face their own industrial and economic development challenges, and that a ‘one size fits all’ approach is not appropriate; rather the key is to tailor policies and systems to the unique opportunities and development challenges in each African country.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10842-009-0049-2
Divisions: College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Economics, Finance & Entrepreneurship
College of Business and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences & Humanities > Aston Centre for Europe
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School
Additional Information: The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10842-009-0049-2
Uncontrolled Keywords: industrial policy,Ireland,East Asia,economic development,FDI,small firms
Publication ISSN: 1573-7012
Last Modified: 04 Jan 2024 08:16
Date Deposited: 17 Feb 2014 15:00
Full Text Link: http://link.spr ... 0842-009-0049-2
http://link.spr ... 0842-009-0049-2
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PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2009-12
Authors: Bailey, David (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-1956-0556)
Lenihan, Helena
Singh, Ajit

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Version: Accepted Version


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