Political Institutions and Development challenges the cliche that 'good institutions' are essential for sustainable socio-economic development by focusing on the need to adapt potential solutions to local conditions. The authors argue that there is no one optimal institutional design that can be successfully applied to any country. The macro- and micro-level studies contained in this book demonstrate that institutions are highly context-dependent and time-sensitive and must be tailored to local conditions. Specifically, law and order, effective governance, ethnic sensitivity, a supporting political culture, civil rights, and individual opportunities to participate in decision-making are also necessary. With its global perspective, this book explores the relationship between political institutions and development from such diverse regions as the Commonwealth of Independent States, East and South Asia, and Latin America. This book will appeal to scholars and researchers in political science, economics, political economy, development studies and globalization. It will also find a wider audience amongst policymakers, development agencies and policy communities throughout the world.

China is beginning to overtake the US as the world's largest economy, and a few other East and South Asian countries are steadily increasing their presence in global markets. The authors of this book agree that the contours of a 'different' economic and political order are emerging as the West is effectively struggling to hold onto its global pre-eminence. Meanwhile, the torch is slowly (albeit uncertainly) passing to a new generation of international players. Some version of a new multilateral order is emerging; an order that is both different from the previous one, but also marked by multiple and significant continuities. This book identifies possible factors responsible for the recent rise of many developing countries. It examines how robust these trends actually are and speculatively predicts the implications and consequences that may result from a continuation of these trends. It also suggests possible scenarios of future development. Ultimately, it argues that the rise of the 'Rest' would not only imply geopolitical shifts, but could also lead to the proliferation of the new growth models in the Global South and to profound changes in international economic relations. This innovative book is written from a multicultural and multidisciplinary perspective by the leading scholars in the field. It will appeal to professionals, PhD students and graduate students alike, namely those in the fields of international relations, political economy, political science, international development and regional studies. Contributors include: S. Amin, L.C. Bresser-Pereira, P. Dutkiewicz, J. Ghosh, S.S. Karatasli, S. Kumral, J.Y. Lin, J.A. Ocampo, D. Pasciuti, P. Patnaik, V. Popov, R. Sakwa, B.J. Silver, J.K. Sundaram

The rise of the West is often attributed the presence of certain features in Western countries from the 16th century that were absent in more traditional societies: the abolition of serfdom and Protestant ethics, the protection of property rights, and free universities. The problem with this reasoning is that, before the 16th century, there were many countries with social structures that possessed these same features that didn't experience rapid productivity growth. This book offers a new interpretation of the 'Great Divergence' and 'Great Convergence' stories. It explores how Western countries grew rich and why parts of the developing world (South and East Asia and the Middle East) did not catch up with the West from 1500 to 1950 but began to narrow the gap after 1950. It also examines why others (Latin America, South Africa, and Russia) were more successful at catching up from 1500 to 1950, but then experienced a slowdown in economic growth compared to other developing countries. Mixed Fortunes offers a novel interpretation of the rise of the West and of the subsequent development of 'the rest' and China and Russia, important examples of two groups of developing countries, are examined in greater detail.

This book is a contribution to the debate about the transition process, and focuses on structural institutions in Russia and the East.

In transitional countries with unfavourable initial conditions and weak institutions, economic and social performance can only in part be explained by the approaches followed in the field of macroeconomic adjustment, privatization, and liberalization. By reviewing the impact of initial conditions on industrial and institutional conditions in the gradual and late reforming countries, this book aims to rekindle the debate surrounding these largely neglected issues.

Vladimir Popov is a distinguished Russian chess coach who has guided his two most celebrated pupils, the Kosintseva sisters, into the Top 10 of womens chess. In Chess Lessons Popov shares his secrets of chess improvement. Chess is of course a complex game, but Popov has the ability as a coach and author to offer clear principles to help the reader achieve a deeper understanding of chess. Popov also offers many instructive and entertaining chess exercises for the reader to solve.