Description: Many developing countries still face difficulties initiating and sustaining economic development. Such difficulties have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an increasing divergence between rich and poor countries. One crucial question is whether to follow the trajectories of present-day rich countries or seek out different, new trajectories. Although this is a fundamental question, scholars offering mainstream prescriptions have not sufficiently explored it. Drawing on extensive empirical studies of firms and industries, Innovation and Development Detours for Latecomers proposes an effective alternative to prevailing development thinking. It presents a rich menu of development pathways, including a new role for Schumpeterian states whereby they do not follow the paths of technological development already taken by advanced countries. Rather, they can skip certain stages and even create their own detours thereby leapfrogging advanced countries in both manufacturing and service sectors. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Brief description: Keun Lee is distinguished professor at Seoul National University, fellow of CIFAR, an editor for Research Policy, a regular writer for Project Syndicates, the winner of the 2014 Schumpeter Prize, and the 2019 KAPP Prize. He served as an economic advisor for the President of Korea, as the President of the International Schumpeter Society, was a member of the UN CDP, and of the World Economic Forum (GFC).
Review Quotes: 'A richly detailed and highly stimulating book on how latecomers, especially middle-income countries, can overcome the multiple obstacles they face. The key, Keun Lee argues, is not to emulate the experience of rich countries but to develop institutional innovations better suited to their needs - through industrial policies that emphasize domestic knowledge and ownership of firms and mediate the economy's relationship with the global economy, while leveraging the discipline of global competition. Drawing on extensive empirical studies of firms and industries around the world, this book presents a rich menu of development pathways.' Dani Rodrik, Professor, Harvard University