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Palgrave Macmillan

Main Currents in Cumulative Causation

The Dynamics of Growth and Development

  • Book
  • © 1999
  • Latest edition

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Authors:
  1. Phillip Toner
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About this book

This book is the first comprehensive study of the theory of circular and cumulative causation. This theory is concerned with the general dynamics of growth and development in advanced industrial economies and developing nations. A detailed analysis of the theory's core concepts, including increasing returns, external economies, complementarity in production and consumption and technological change is provided. The book provides a detailed account of the historical development of the concept and identifies and critically assesses the major contributions of the chief figures in this tradition.

Reviews

'This is an exciting and insightful work and is much needed. It greatly expands our knowledge of theories of circular and cumulative causation and will serve to stimulate much new research in this important but hitherto neglected field.' - Professor Robert Dixon, Reader in Economics, University of Melbourne

'The concept of Circular and Cumulative Causation is frequently referred to in the literature, yet it has never been thoroughly analysed. This important book bridges the gap and develops an original interpretation...Phillip Toner performs an excellent task in systematising the contributions of Young, Myrdal, Hirschman, and Kaldor. The concept emerges as consisting of a complex and rich web of ideas whose strength lies in viewing technical phenomena as inseparable from historical and institutional processes.' - Joseph Halevi, Université Pierre Mendès, Grenoble, France and University of Sydney, Australia

'...a well-crafted work in the history of economic thought...' - Pasquale Commendatore, Review of Political Economy

About the author

Phillip Toner has held senior positions in Australian state and federal governments, including the Federal Treasury.

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