Albert Hirshman, Lauchlin Currie, 'Linkages' theory, and Paul Rosenstein Rodan's 'Big Push'

Sandilands, Roger (2017) Albert Hirshman, Lauchlin Currie, 'Linkages' theory, and Paul Rosenstein Rodan's 'Big Push'. Discussion paper. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

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Abstract

This paper introduces a hitherto unpublished 1970 paper written by the distinguished development economist Lauchlin Currie (1902-93) on Paul Rosenstein Rodan’s famous 1943 paper on the “Big Push” which led to the balanced-unbalanced growth debate to which Albert Hirschman (1915-2012) was an important contributor. Both Currie and Hirschman had been key economic advisers to the Colombian government and their respective views on development planning are contrasted. In particular, it is shown how Currie’s 1970 paper illuminates the theory behind the 1971-74 national plan for Colombia that he prepared and helped deliver; and how the related institutional innovations have had an enduring impact on Colombia’s recent economic history.

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