Ishrat Husain Livres

Growth and structural change in the Pakistan economy -- Production base: agriculture and industry -- Macroeconomic foundations: fiscal, monetary, and exchange rate policy -- Investing in people: education, population, health, and poverty alleviation -- Physical capital: infrastructure -- Foreign trade, external debt, and resource flows -- Explaining Pakistan's economic performance -- An economic and social agenda for the 21st century -- The elitist economy.

Pakistan, since its independence in 1947, had to face tumultuous years for the first four decades. Despite the many challenges, both internal and external, the country was able to register a 6 per cent average annual growth rate during the first forty years of its existence. The country wasahead of India and Bangladesh in all economic and social indicators. Since 1990, the country has fallen behind its neighbouring countries and has had a decline in the growth rate.This book attempts to examine the reasons behind this slowdown, the volatile and inequitable growth of the last twenty-five years, and through a process of theoretical and empirical evidence argues that the most powerful explanatory hypothesis lies in the decay of institutions of governance. It alsosuggests a selective and incremental approach of restructuring some key public institutions that pertain to accountability, transparency, security, economic growth, and equity.

The book offers a detailed comparative analysis of the economic and social progress in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh since their independence in 1947, highlighting the challenges they faced, including poverty, illiteracy, and inadequate infrastructure. It also examines the impact of Bangladesh's independence in 1971 and the initial pessimism surrounding the future of these nations. Through evidence-based insights, the narrative explores how these countries have navigated their developmental pathways over the decades.