Rethinking Productive Development Sound Policies and Institutions for Economic Transformation

“A rich set of commissioned case studies grounded in a generous reading of the academic literature, the editors do a beautiful job of presenting the work in a single, reader-friendly voice. … Rethinking Productive Development is … well adapted, it could transform the institutions guiding and inhibiting growth in Latin America.” (Patrice Franko, Latin American Research Review, Vol. 54 (1), 2019)

"The Washington Consensus its name notwithstanding was invented in Latin America. However, as this useful report shows, inadequate productivity growth since its adoption has forced the region's policymakers to reconsider whether the wholesale rejection of industrial policy was appropriate. The Inter-American Development Bank has long been at the forefront of this rethinking. The authors do a masterful job of not only surveying what is known about 'productive development policies,' but also laying out a policy agenda. Admirable in its analytical exposition, empirical detail, and policy discussion, this is a must-read for development economists and practitioners alike." - Dani Rodrik, Albert O. Hirschman Professor of Economics, Institute for Advanced Study, USA

"Once the commodities boom is over, Latin America will have to discover new sources of economic growth. Tired orthodoxies will not do the trick, but the fresh thinking contained in this volume just might. It explains what went wrong with industrial policies in the 1960s, and what countries have to do differently this time around. First-rate. Should be required reading for policymakers around the region." - Andrés Velasco, Former Finance Minister, Chile

"This book is a must-read for policymakers and practitioners in the elusive world of effective industrial policies. A useful toolbox to think about a topic that is central to any government today." - Mauricio Cárdenas, Minister of Finance and Public Credit, Colombia