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Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of edible and nutritious vegetable crops in the world. The objective of this study was to identify tomato value chain actors, their roles and linkages, as well as to estimate the benefit share of tomato value chain actors in Seka Chekorsa District, Jimma Zone and Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Semi structured interview schedules, focus group discussion and key informant interviews were used to collect first-hand information. Two-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 158 tomato producers randomly. Likewise, 20 consumers and 21 Traders were selected randomly and purposively, respectively. To analysis the data, descriptive statistics, value chain mapping and market margin were used. In the study area, the primary tomato value chain actors included input suppliers, producers, local collectors, retailers and consumers. Sinke Bank, Harbu Microfinance, Seka Chekorsa District Agriculture Office, District Trade Office and Non-governmental Organizations were key tomato value chain supporters. There is poor linkage among value chain actors and poor coordination of activities. Producers earned maximum gross profit in channel I (producer–consumer), which was 382.54 birr/qt and the lowest gross profit in channel III (producer–local collectors– retailer–consumer) and channel IV (producer–local collector–consumer), which was 111.07birr/qt. From traders, local collectors took higher gross profit (224.93birr/qt) in channel IV (producer–local collector–consumer). So, it is better for producers to sell their product through channel I (producer–consumer), and imperative to develop ground rules that bind all chain actors together by changing their outlook.

The evolving landscape of global trade and economic cooperation has spurred the establishment of Special Border Economic Zones (SBEZs) as a comprehensive strategy to catalyse economic growth and enhance collaboration between neighbouring countries. These zones have developed as a distinctive economic strategy to harness the potential of cross-border collaboration, while addressing the particular socio- economic difficulties of border regions as globalisation continues to change the dynamics of global commerce and investment. However, the main challenge to such an effort is understanding how to fully tap the potential of the SBEZs to facilitate cross-border trade, drive economic development, and advance regional integration while simultaneously minimising potential hazards and unfavourable effects. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the relationship between Malaysia and Thailand and the relevance of a SBEZ between the two neighbors. It aims to pursue these objectives: (1) To delve into the historical trajectory of economic progress in the relationship between Malaysia and Thailand, (2) To critically examine the importance of the SBEZs in the Malaysia-Thailand context from various aspects, and (3) To critically evaluate the SBEZs by comparing the economic development of Malaysia and Thailand and by analysing the factors that led to the Thailand-Malaysian SBEZ. Content analysis was used to analyse the secondary data obtained from journals, publications, and official reports. The findings are as follows: 1) There have historically been several economic periods in the relationship between Malaysia and Thailand; 2) In the Malaysia-Thailand region, Special Border Economic Zones are significant in terms of their role in trade facilitation, economic growth, investment, industrialisation, and regional economic balance; and 3)Three factors had an effect on the development of the SBEZs.

This study investigates the effectiveness of gender-mainstreamed aid in mitigating gender inequality. We develop a robust theoretical model that accounts for the potential positive and perceived negative effects of shifts toward gender parity, capturing diverse societal perspectives. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset on aid activities focused on gender (in)equality and women’s empowerment across 118 countries from 2009 to 2022, primarily low-income nations, we employ panel fixed-effects and mixed-effects random coefficient models to examine the impact of gender-related aid on gender inequality. Our findings reveal that significant gender-related aid (SGRA), which integrates gender considerations into broader development projects, reduces gender inequality in 115 out of 118 countries. In contrast, principal gender-related aid (PGRA), which explicitly targets gender equality, shows significant effects in only 85 countries. When analyzing the effects of both components of gender-related aid, we find that SGRA consistently impacts gender inequality. However, the effectiveness of PGRA becomes less clear-cut. This observation, coupled with the variation in the effectiveness of the components across countries, underscores the importance of developing strategies tailored to country-specific needs and conditions in promoting gender parity effectively.

Objective: to review the scientific contribution of Rustem Makhmutovich Nureyev to the Russian economics; to determine the best practices and life position of R. M. Nureyev which enabled him to leave a deep mark in economics.Methods: retrospective scientific-bibliographic analysis, abstract-logical, monographic methods.Results: the main results of Rustem Makhmutovich Nureyev’s scientific activity were listed; the most significant works were described that allowed him, in the authors’ opinion, to receive all-Russian and world recognition. The works are conditionally divided into two groups: popular works in the field of economic theory and modern significant works.Scientific novelty: the main stages and achievements of Rustem Makhmutovich Nureyev’s scientific activity are noted, as well as the impressions of the authors formed in the process of working with him.Practical significance: the review will help to get acquainted with the scientific contribution of R. M. Nureyev to the Russian science.

AbstractThe tourism industry suffered the worst impact due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this case, the Europe is the region whose tourism industry has been hardest hit globally. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the tourism industry in the Europe involving 19 countries with a period of about 514 days (early March 2020 to late July 2021) using spatial econometric analysis techniques. The data used was obtained from the European Center for Diseases Prevention and Control (ECDC) and several data providers that can be accessed online. The Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) with fixed effects was selected as the best spatial panel model that shows the spatial dependence among European countries on the tourism industry in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is significant evidence of indirect effects indicating spatial spillovers in almost all independent variables in the model.

First paragraph: In Edible Economics, South Korean development economist Ha-Joon Chang argues against the neoliberal philosophy that “has normalized self-serving behavior” (p. xxii). He contends that the discipline of economics is a determinant factor in idea creation and in the organization of our lives, and therefore it is useful to understand how economic theory translates into reality. He also believes that a broad understanding of economics can help “make our society a better place to live for us and the coming generations” (p. xxiv). Food, the author admits, does not fit seamlessly into this objective and is instead a device to reel in the attention of the reader before expanding on development economic theory. The marriage between personal food stories and economics can sometimes feel disjointed; the reader may wonder how a chapter beginning with the history of rye leads to Otto von Bismarck’s establishment of the welfare state. But, with Chang’s palpable gregariousness, love of food, and general self-awareness, his essays succeed in making economics more “edible.” . . .

Background: This study aims to explore how domestic entrepreneurs can benefit from the thriving global agribusiness by establishing themselves in agro-industrial segments that can best remunerate capital and labour. The ways in which domestic entrepreneurs in Brazil enter different segments of the agribusiness industry were assessed with specific attention to implications for the development of local agro-industrial capabilities. Methods: We assessed the current market share of domestic companies in relation to foreign multinationals in various segments of the sugar and ethanol supply chain in Brazil. Results: Foreign multinationals are market leaders in the fertilizers, machinery and trading segments (domestic companies market share is 20.3%, 33.3% and 42.9% in those segments respectively). However, Brazilian companies have achieved higher market share in segments such as plant breeding, sugarcane processing and farming (domestic market share is 93.2%, 67.4% and 75.5% respectively). Plant breeding, farming and trading benefit from governmental support in research, subsidized credits and market policies respectively. Conclusions: By investing in agro-industrial sectors developing countries can benefit from agribusiness expansion for their economic growth. Investments in science and technology and domestic regulatory actions can help to build country capabilities, although the impacts are sometimes limited to the agro-industrial sectors where domestic companies are more competitive. These lessons can help other developing countries to assess their opportunities and challenges for agro-industrial development.

PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development (PJGD) is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal of Jimma University that publishes editorials, research articles, book reviews, commentaries, and notes. PJGD offers a platform for the expression of new scientific inquiries to intellectuals of the world in general and Africa & Ethiopia in particular to reflect on how governance and development can be promoted, strengthened, and consolidated. The biannual edition is published in February and August of each year only in English language. PJGD is APC Free Journal. PJGD accepts scientific works focused on the diversified areas of Governance and Development drawn from multiple disciplines of Political Science and International Relations, Public Management, Leadership, Development Economics, Environmental Governance, Peace and Conflict, Human Rights, National and International Law, Globalization, Public Policy, Regional and International Organizations, Gender, Peace and Conflict Management, International Political Economy, Multiculturalism, Civil Society, and related areas.

ABSTRACT This paper seeks to contribute to the advancement of studies on the National State and economic development. For that, I used an original and singular transdisciplinary approach based on Pierre Bourdieu’s sociological theory and economic history. The methodological procedures were bibliographic research of historical and inductive analysis of the economy. The results obtained were that, for the construction of a National Developmental State, society, first, needs to establish meta-capital and meta-field immersed in the developmental precepts and concentrators of soft power and hard power to, subsequently, execute the project of expansion, integration and sophistication of the productive structure.

ABSTRACT: The structure of multilateral financial partnerships has many relationship challenges, which need to be solved to positively impact sustainable human development. There is a lack of understanding in the development relationship between the so-called developed and developing countries, and development economics theories and research, which guide policies, knowledge, and funding to nations in need. Amid widespread pleas for change to the structure, Belize is a country, which remains in an economic development crisis 41 years after joining the World Bank Group. This original paper, uniquely positions “World Bank” as a brand, and adds to missing empirical research on Belize and development economics with a mixed-methods, brand relationship approach. The researchers perform a survey of 20 years of Belize government personnel dialogues about the Bank, and apply Fournier’s (1998) brand relationship theories as tools to measure their perceptions of the Bank as well as get a deeper understanding of the relationship. This investigative research finds that Belize perceives it has an “arranged marriage” type brand relationship with the Bank: it is not a sustainable development partner. This brand relationship also negatively affects the way government personnel see themselves and their abilities. The World Bank Group must innovate its development economics methods and practices, assert its social mission, and meet the development needs of its members by first building genuine brand bonds with them. Debtor member countries must re-define their worth, join together, and design their own paths to sustainable development. All countries are developing.

PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development (PJGD) is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal of Jimma University that publishes editorials, research articles, book reviews, commentaries, and notes. PJGD offers a platform for the expression of new scientific inquiries to intellectuals of the world in general and Africa & Ethiopia, in particular, to reflect on how governance and development can be promoted, strengthened, and consolidated. The biannual edition is published in February and August of each year only in the English language. PJGD is APC Free Journal.

The authors of the article put forward a thesis about the need to modify or revise the way in which economic sciences are practiced in ontological, epistemological and methodological terms. This results from the impact of a series of factors that appeared in the pre-pandemic period and for which COVID-19 may be a complementary, reinforcing or even directly determining circumstance. The structure of this article was subordinated to the adopted goal. Eight areas were selected for which a set of proposals was made for modifications in economic research. The main method used in the study is critical analysis of the literature.

An advancement that includes the intellectual history of development ethics is examined in this paper. Relying upon contributions of distinguished scholars, this inquiry considers the intellectual history of the sub-field known as “development ethics”. Special attention is paid to the pioneering development ethicist Denis Goulet, recognized as the founder of the field. The paper concentrates on individual contributions on a variety of issues, emphasizing linkages to Goulet’s conception of tasks, methods and normative principles. Students of international development can benefit from this distinctive perspective where ethics is integrated into economic development, disclosing an enlightened perspective of an ethical developing world. Overall, the goal is to establish development ethics as an important subcategory of development economics in regards with its ethical aspects and one which deserves greater attention from economists and development studies scholars..

Can a historical shock such as Iran's occupation in world war two and the resulting famine affect people's health up to the age of 70? In this study, we do a natural experiment during the allied occupation interval in Iran. First, we documented the most challenging period of this shock based on historical evidence. Then we compare people who were prenatally exposed to this period with those who were born in similar periods immediately before and immediately after. To find the causal effect, we use various fixed effects and controls in the comparisons. The study results show that those whose in-utero period overlapped with this shock's most severe period are, on average, about 1.1 cm shorter than the two groups before and after them. These results are significant and robust and adding control variables, fixed effects, and small changes at the beginning and end of the period do not significantly change the results. Our results also indicate that the fetal period had a more significant impact on height than the first two years of life. This research contains a policy message for pregnant mothers, and health and welfare policymakers.

By understanding the economics of agribusiness, an important economic sector for developing countries, this article explores possibilities for a new development paradigm based on areas of opportunities created for local entrepreneurs. Based on a detailed study of the soybean market chain in Brazil, this paper illustrates that the current neoliberal economic approach has resulted in a business which is dependent on foreign multinationals. While foreign companies hold 60% of the soybean market share, Brazilian groups hold only 40% of the entire business, with the domestic market share concentrated in land (13.3%) and labor (14.3%). But the expansion of foreign investments in agribusiness in the country offers opportunities occupied by Brazilian companies, characterizing a situation of associated dependent development. Currently, 12.4% of the share held by Brazilian companies belongs to capital and technology intensive segments such as seed production (2.4%), fertilizers (4.8%), agrochemicals (0.6%), machinery (0.3%), and agro-industry trade (4.3%). The increase in the participation of Brazilian groups in agribusiness requires agricultural policies that can be inspired by a new development paradigm. Opportunities created by foreign investments can be used by domestic groups to increase their share in agro-industrial sectors. Lessons from the Brazilian case can help other developing countries to explore areas of opportunities for domestic investments in dynamic economic sectors such as agribusiness.

Development economics emerged as a new theoretical approach that focuses on the re-construction of developing countries as the study focus on improving fiscal, economic and social conditioning. Development economics also do an analysis of developing countries from critical assessment, which contributes to the making of development policy. This paper tries to explore the understanding of theoretical approaches to development economics and a helping strategy or re-construction instrument for developing countries. Through the reflections, the article critically argued the contribution of development economics in making development policy for developing countries. It is also focused on those development policies by international institutions and governments, how this is opportunities and state-building instrument. But recent global pandemic such COVID-19 raises a critical question for both donor and recipient of aid. Moreover, there is required a reality check to the re-construction of developing countries.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to present the New Developmentalism school and its production about productive sophistication. The technical methodological procedures prioritized by the research, in this way, were bibliographical and documentary. The methodology is predominantly descriptive, so the research aimed at structuring and defining a theoretical model, mapping it. The article is divided into two sections. The first section presents the main precepts of New Developmentalism; the second section focuses on the production of the school about productive sophistication. In conclusion, the research sought to contextualize and to explain the described studies, exposing some hypotheses and questions.

In this paper, the results of empirical studies by Nobel Prize laureates in Economic Sciences 2019 Michael Kremer, Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo are discussed. Field experiments in education and healthcare systems as well as in the financial and technological areas made it possible to evaluate differently the effectiveness of traditional instruments of economic and social policy in poor countries, offering new, better practices and reforms aimed at poverty alleviation. In addition to the relevance of the findings in politics, the experiments by the laureates provided development economics with powerful analytical and methodological tools, forming the foundation for future academic investigations in this branch of economics.

Abstract Composite development indicators used in policy making often subjectively aggregate a restricted set of indicators. We show, using dimensionality reduction techniques, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and for the first time information filtering and hierarchical clustering, that these composite indicators miss key information on the relationship between different indicators. In particular, the grouping of indicators via topics is not reflected in the data at a global and local level. We overcome these issues by using the clustering of indicators to build a new set of cluster driven composite development indicators that are objective, data driven, comparable between countries, and retain interpretabilty. We discuss their consequences on informing policy makers about country development, comparing them with the top PageRank indicators as a benchmark. Finally, we demonstrate that our new set of composite development indicators outperforms the benchmark on a dataset reconstruction task.

In the 1970s, in France, a few researchers such as Ignacy Sachs and René Passet elaborated innovative research programmes to have a better understanding of development (North and South) and environmental issues. On the basis of archives and interviews, this article reconstructs and analyses the structuring process, both intellectual and institutional, of the environment-development expertise in France. The case of CIRED, created by Sachs in 1973, helps us illuminate how this new agenda was settled. Our findings are the followings: the support from national and international institutions has been crucial; and while the new expertise tried to become a new, autonomous field, it finally had to go through a normalization process to exist in the academic landscape of the 1980s.

The significant increase in the influence of innovation and information technologies in the modern world, including on economic processes, their constant interaction with classical markets of production factors, and accordingly the need to develop a methodology for assessing their mutual influence - all this has determined the purpose and tasks of research. The article discusses the features of markets mutual influence of innovation and information technologies, as well as their impact on the economy of the region. Based on the conclusions, a methodology for quantifying this influence is proposed, which is characterized by simple and convenient application in the implementation of state regulation of the regional economy. The study is based on the analysis of statistical data for more than 20 years of the economy development of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan and is highly representative. The results of the study allowed justifying the theoretical approach, to develop methodological and practical recommendations on diagnostics, assessment and forecasting of the impact of the two most important components of the modern industrial revolution 4.0 - innovation and information technologies - on the stability and balance of the regional economy. The main product of the study is the system functional multi-sector model of the regional economy, which allows solving all the above-mentioned problems and problems in an optimal way.

Eradicating poverty in all its forms is one of the fundamental goals of the United Nations' plan for sustainable development. In this context, it is not surprising that the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences to the economists who have focused their research efforts in this direction. Namely, Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer won the award "for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty". By examining the different factors of each individual problem, as well as the behaviour of subjects in the natural environment, using the method of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), these three scientists came to concrete, practically applicable observations. The combination of these insights and an understanding of the local and institutional context provides solid guidance for development policies and enhances the capacity of international development organisations and institutions to record a visible impact in alleviating global poverty within the set deadlines.

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the changes to the essential economic structure of the Brazilian economy from 2005 to 2014. It uses the method of qualitative input-output analysis and its extensions, applied by Aroche-Reyes (1996) and Gosh and Roy (1998), to verify the pattern of structural change, the number of dynamic sectors, and to examine whether there has been change in the role of sectors in this period. The results indicate a change in the structure of the economy, leading to a decrease in intersector and intrasector economic linkages. In this context, the construction sector remains central, presenting a substantial number of important coefficients. However, the total number of important coefficients diminished in the whole period, indicating a deteriorated economic structure. This fact points to a restriction in the nation’s sustainable economic growth.

The end of the nineteenth century witnessed the emergence of the idea of Indian Economics, which its proponents hoped would address the issue of the scientific method of studying the Indian economy, and help in laying out a path for economic development. Some of the best sources to study these views are textbooks written as introductions to Indian Economics during the early-twentieth century. This paper will explore the manner in which the textbooks dealt with these issues.

This paper analyzes L. Currie and A. O. Hirschman’s contributions to development economics in the context of their Colombian experience as foreign experts. We show that the common ideas about the divergences between these authors have overlooked the view they shared of the experts’ role as a triggering factor in development strategy. They both believed experts should facilitate and guide the decision-making process. Using published and archival sources, we show that their experiences as experts in Colombia led them to redefine their ideas and understand the influence of the political economy of development policies on the advice that experts give.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to evaluate the different explanations provided by competing theories for informal sector competitors being viewed as hindering formal entrepreneurs more in some countries than others. Theoretical background: These theories variously explain such cross-country variations as determined by: economic under-development (modernization theory); government over-interference and high taxes (neo-liberal theory); too little government intervention (political economy theory), or the asymmetry between the laws and regulations of formal institutions and entrepreneurs’ views on the acceptability of participating in the informal economy (institutional theory). Methods: To evaluate these theories, the chosen method focus on World Bank Enterprise Survey data on 31 Latin American and Caribbean countries using binary probit regression analysis. Main results: The findings show significant cross-country differences, ranging from 58.1 per cent of entrepreneurs viewing informal sector competition as a major constraint in Bolivia to 11.1 percent in Dominica. The binary probit regression analysis confirms the modernization and institutional theories, only partially confirms political economy theory, but refutes neo-liberal theory. Theoretical contribution: The paper concludes by discussing the implications for theory and the policy initiatives required to reduce informal sector competition.

The theory of development economics changed signifcantly from the first attempts of defining the concepts in the 50s until nowadays. The contributions to the development theory are at the same time closely related to the historical context of the underdeveloped and developing countries. This paper tries to facilitate the understanding of the way development economics evolved, by presenting the main contributions to the theory. The research methodology used in this study is analytical, based on the gatherinf of the information, its organisation in a logical way, the presentation and analysis of the most significant ones, and finally the drawing of relevant conclusions. The main findings of this paper are that after five decades of strong ideas and recipes of economic development we have reached a point of uncertainty regarding what is beneficial or harmful for the nations' economic development. Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) classification: O10.

This paper surveys my research on development economics, undertaken in the context of the historical experiences of Brazil and Latin America. The research consists of academic papers, essays, economic fables, and reflections on my experiences in policy making. It spans different fields, including income distribution, industrial policies, dollar constraints and debt crises, commodity booms and coffee valorization, high inflation and stabilization policies, and Brazil’s growth record.

Abstract Background While regular handwashing effectively reduces communicable disease incidence and related child mortality, instilling a habit of regular handwashing in young children continues to be a challenging task, especially in developing country contexts. This randomised controlled pilot study assessed the effect of a novel handwashing intervention – a bi-monthly delivery of a colourful, translucent bar of soap with a toy embedded in its centre (HOPE SOAP©) – on children’s handwashing behaviour and health outcomes. Methods Between September and December 2014, 203 households in an impoverished community in Cape Town, South Africa, were randomised (1:1) to the control group or to receive HOPE SOAP©. Of all children (N = 287) aged 3–9 years and not enrolled in early childhood development programmes, 153 residing in intervention households received a bar of HOPE SOAP© every two weeks (total of 4 bars). Children in control households received a colourful, translucent bar of soap of equal size to HOPE SOAP©, with a toy alongside it. Two ‘snack tests’ (children were offered crackers and jam) were used to provide objective observational measures of handwashing. Through baseline and endline surveys, data were collected from caregivers on the frequency (scale of 1–10) of handwashing by children after using the toilet and before meals, and on soap-use during handwashing. Data on 14 illnesses/symptoms of illness experienced by children in the two weeks preceding the surveys were collected. Multivariable Ordinary Least Squares regression analyses were used to assess the intervention effect on handwashing behaviours and health outcomes. Results At endline, HOPE SOAP© children were directly observed as being more likely to wash their hands unprompted at both snack tests (49% vs 39%, β: 0.10, p = 0.27). They were more likely to score ≥8/10 for using soap when washing their hands (β: 0.14, p = 0.011). HOPE SOAP© children, in general, had better health outcomes, and those who used the soap as intended, and did not cheat to remove the toy from the soap, were less likely to have been ill (β: − 0.15, p = 0.049). Conclusions Results point towards HOPE SOAP© being an effective intervention to improve handwashing among children. Further research on this novel handwashing intervention is warranted. Trial registration NCT03280771 (www.clinicaltrials.gov) retrospectively registered on 8 September 2017.

Development economics emerged as a separate discipline of economic science in the 1950s but it wasn’t until the 1960s and mid-1970s that it began to draw serious attention. Gradually, an extensive literature concerning economic development was built up. In the 1980s it turned out, however, that despite some successes, the economic growth in most of medium and less developed countries was not as high as expected. During the 1980s and 1990s, the so-called Washington Consensus dominated the theory and practice of economic development. This notion covered the whole range of activities that were to lead the developing countries to improved welfare and prosperity. It included strict fiscal and monetary policies, deregulation, foreign trade and capital flow liberalisation, elimination of government subsidies, moderate taxation, liberalisation of interest rates, maintaining low inflation, etc. Based on the developmental experience of over past ten years, a new paradigm of development is emerging, the elements of which can be described as follows: (1) the basic economic environment should encourage the long-term investment in (2) the economy should have a high sensitivity to market stimuli (3) human capital must complement physical capital (4) due to the fast flow and absorption of information in the rapidly changing world, the key role is played by institutions and mechanisms that jointly respond to stimuli (5) wherever market failures occur, an intervention of the state should be market-friendly 6) social equality must be guaranteed if the economic development is to take place on a sustainable basis.

The present research aims to conduct a systemic review on Renewable Energy, Economic Growth and Economic Development and look for links between the papers published between 2008 and May 2021. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, it was possible to reach a sample of 111 articles selected by Web of Science and a sample of 199 academic articles selected by Scopus in that specific period. The analysis of the group of Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Consumption, Economic Growth and Economic Development shows that most of the articles published in this subsample use the quantitative methodology in economic sciences. The results indicate that research on the subject has a growing trend and that most of the articles are post-2015 publications. In addition, China has been the leading nation in published works. The journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews is considered the most relevant in this category, and Sustainability has the most publications. Finally, a research gap was identified to be explored, lacking studies aimed at understanding the consumption of renewable energies and economic development and studies that focus on renewable energies and economic growth in less developed economies.

This paper surveys my research on development economics, undertaken in the context of the historical experiences of Brazil and Latin America. The research consists of academic papers, essays, economic fables, and reflections on my experiences in policy making. It spans different fields, including income distribution, industrial policies, dollar constraints and debt crises, commodity booms and coffee valorization, high inflation and stabilization policies, and Brazil’s growth record. JEL codes: F34, J24, N16, O11, O41, O54 Keywords: Brazil, debt crises, development economics, high inflation, income distribution, Latin America

We leverage a new complexity framework called Economic Fitness, which characterizes an economy’s level of diversification and its capabilities to produce more complex products. It can be used to predict economic growth and competitiveness. This paper describes an application of Economic Fitness called the Country Opportunity Spotlight (COS) that assesses a country’s current level of capabilities and demonstrates which industries have upgrade and diversification potential given those capabilities. It helps unlock the explanatory and predictive power of Economic Fitness for policymakers. COS results serve as a starting point for policymakers to shape and validate priorities, compare countries, asses the capabilities needed in specific industries and begin identifying constraints to growth. We showcase the use of this framework for Mexico and Brazil. These countries provide an interesting case study, as they have similar growth outlooks yet demonstrate different productive capabilities. Examining Mexico and Brazil side by side illustrates the value this analysis can have on deciphering structural change and decision making and at the same time reinforces the need for a nuanced consideration of each country’s unique context.