Developmentalism is a post-World War 2 economic theory where the government focuses on development and uses its authority to spread risks of capitalist development. It believes that a nation's economic performance is central to a regime's justice claims, and that state administrators should be separated from politicians to utilize capitalism for international economic advancement. Strengths include promoting self-governance, international economic participation, and capitalism. Weaknesses include debates around whether authoritarianism or democracy better achieves developmental goals, and whether economic development or democracy should come first.

1. Developmentalism

2. What is Developmentalism?
• A Post-World War 2 economic theory
• Thinking Style: "Developmentalist"
• "Developmental States"
• Optimistic: World Economic Success
• Government focuses on development
• Very linear

3. Main Ideologies and Beliefs of
Developmentalism
There are 4 main that are included behind the theory of
Developmentalism
• First - Performance of a nation's economy is the
central source of justice that a regime may claim.
• Second - Governmental authority used to spread the
risks associated with capitalist development.
• Third - State administrators become separated from
politicians.
• Fourth - Necessary for nations to utilize the capitalist
system for further advancement in the international
economy.

4. Strengths
• Promoted "Self-Governance"
• Induced participation in the International
Economy
• Promoted Capitalism
• Botswana - Successful developmental state
o Since the gain of political independence in 1960's
and 70's
• Thailand
o Created a school for developmentalism

5. Weaknesses
• Developmentalism:
o Democratic Development = phenomenon?
o Authoritarianism = better for achieving goals?
• No Agreement
o Democracy leads to Economic Development
o Economic Development is required to achieve
Democracy
• South Korea Few Decades Ago = Third World
• South Korea Now = Democratic and
Economically Developed
• Regimes = Democracy vs. Authoritarianism

6. Developmentalism
Is it too simple or just right by
itself?