Product Description

Combining accessible theory, relevant policy issues, and the latest data and research.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33397 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-17
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 861 pages

From the Back Cover

Combining accessible theory, relevant policy issues, and the latest data and research

Economic Development presents theory in the context of policy debates, so you see how theory and applied studies relate to the problems and prospects of developing countries. In the Tenth Edition, the authorsintegrate new discussions of recent thinking in areas such as environmental resources, gender, governance, inequality and poverty, and microfinance.

Todaro and Smith provide:

§          Theory and applied studies in context with real-world, country-specific examples.

§          Relevancy via an approach that presents development problems and case studies in the context of critical policy questions.

§          Currency with the best and most recent data and tools for analytical thinking.

§          A global perspective with development viewed in both domestic and international contexts.

“'In attempting the impossible task of covering the empirical diversity of Third World experiences and institutions, trying to keep up with the policy debate, and very important and very difficult, not pushing an ideological line but allowing students to make up their own minds it is streets ahead of all the direct competition I have seen, '

-Paul Mosley University of Sheffield.

'The strengths of the book are that it is comprehensive, well written and accessible to students who don’t have an in-depth understanding of formal economics.'

-Matthew Cole Birmingham University. 

“This Book has been and still is a classic.”

-Arild Angelsen, Agricultural University of  Norway. 

Customer Reviews

Very good in depth chapters covering all areas of subject.
Gives a good insight into the issues of trade and development. Both from traditional economic standpoints and more recent thoughts gained from economic research. Provides good statistical data and case studies on each chapter to help highlight the chapters concept. Includes chapters on economic institutions, theories on growth, poverty and income distribution, unemployment and trade theory plus much more. Loses one star only because on certain subjects does not go as in depth as one would like.

Excellent choice for Economics undergraduates
As a third year studying Economics this book was incredibly helpful and offered brilliant insight into so many issues.
Tackles almost every topic of Development economics you can think of from Agriculture and Industry to theories of Growth and the debt crisis.

Even with so many areas being covered it definately doesn't avoid detail, but explains things in an easy to understand way. I think what probably sets itself apart from other books like Perkins is that it doesn't ignore important issues that are crucial to understanding the whole story. This is well supported by interesting case studies which break up the sometimes tiring theory.

Definately recommended

broad coverage and non-mathematical
An excellent introductory book if you are looking for a broad study of the subject.

If you have never taken an economics course before then this could be a somewhat confusing read, especially if you wish to understand the models used. A basic first-year course/book would be ideal.

Still, you should still be able to understand the majority of this book if you have not studied economics before; Todaro does a good job in explaining the economic models he presents: 95% of this book is text, 4% graphs and 1% maths.

The main analytical tool used is graphs, and the little mathematics that's used is on the same level as most introductory courses in mathematical. Some chapters do have mathematical treatments in the appendix, but even these are quite basic - as long as you know what differentials are and how to calculate them you're safe.

The language used is easy to understand, and the exercises are all in discussion format.
Todaro writes in a no-nonsense way, he tells it as it is, which I found very refreshing after only having read formal and "traditional" books on economics beforehand.
He focuses on the humanistic or socio-cultural aspects of development economics rather than technical, i.e. mathematical, analysis.

I especially liked how each chapter has case study where a specific country is studied, in my edition these countries were analyzed: Brazil, Nigeria, Cuba, Malaysia, South Korea, Argentina, India, South Africa, China, Kenya, Mexico, Egypt, Bangladesh, Ghana, Pakistan, Taiwan, Venezuela, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Jamaica, Uganda, Chile, Poland.

This is a very broad and multidisciplinary book that goes into a range of areas: economics, culture/anthropology, politics etc. so it should suit alot of people in different fields.
I think this book does an excellent job of representing Development Economics as a strand of economics in itself, as opposed to being "applied macroeconomics".

The book is best suited for those studying: development, demographics, economic growth, international economics, international studies...

BUT, if you want something that has more technical analysis, i.e. more math, then this is a good book: Introduction to Development Economics.