Description
Book SynopsisThis ambitious book scrutinizes the role of institutions in economic change, with special reference to Southeast Asia. It suggests that the nature of institutional arrangements such as households, community groups, firms, bureaucracies and formal governance systems can significantly affect human activity and economic success.
The book begins by outlining the key elements of the theory of institutional economics. It then addresses institutions associated with particular markets and economic functions using case studies such as new agricultural technologies, the Indonesian labour force, the market for manufactured goods in Malaysia, Chinese entrepreneurs and policy makers in Thailand. The role of institutions is then discussed within the broader context of national and international change. Included are examinations of institutions which have evolved in Indonesia, those concerned with the transformation from central planning to the free market in Vietnam and institutions connected with governance and economic improvement in the Philippines.
The discussion is brought up-to-date by an analysis of the role of global economic institutions in the recent Asian crises, looking at ways in which their performance might be enhanced.
Trade Review'This book has been a long time coming . . . but the wait was worthwhile . . . This book is far more valuable than most edited volumes, and deserves to be read not only by those interested in Southeast Asia but by all those who want to have better tools for thinking about and analysing what really happens in the nitty-gritty of development.' -- James Cobbe, Progress in Development Studies 'This fine book is highly recommended.'– Frithjof Kuhnen, Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture
Table of ContentsContents: Preface Part I: General 1. Introduction 2. An Economic Theory of Institutional Change Part II: Institutions in Particular Markets 3. Institutions of Change in Rural Development 4. Labour Institutions 5. Industrial Institutions 6. Entrepreneurship and Institutions 7. The Economics of Institutional Change Part III: Institutions in National and International Economic Change 8. Government and Deregulation in Indonesia 9. The Institutions of Transition from Central Planning 10. Executive–Legislative Relations in the Philippines 11. Global Economic Institutions from the Southeast Asian Perspective Part IV: Conclusions 12. Conclusions References Index
