Historically much economic thought, especially until the 1960s, has been preoccupied with development economics. In the second half of the 20th century, narrow abstract approaches displaced historically informed discourses, marginalizing greater appreciation of history and the social sciences. The contributors cover mercantilism as associated with Italian city states and in the later German economic tradition; the history of debate over capitalist transformation; and the impact of modern growth theory and international trade on pioneering development economists.
Jomo K.S is Director of Economic Development, Department of Social and Economic Affairs (DESA), United Nations