Mats Lundahl Livres

Mats Lundahl's volume offers a deep exploration of Haiti's economic and political history, compiling his influential previous works along with a thorough introduction and two new chapters that address contemporary issues. It examines the historical context that contributed to Haiti's vulnerability during the earthquake and analyzes the challenges faced in reconstruction efforts, providing insights into the ongoing struggles the nation faces today.

Focusing on the evolution of economic thought in Sweden, the book examines influential figures and their contributions, including the Heckscher-Ohlin theorem and Gunnar Myrdal's development theories. It profiles economists from the Industrial Institute of Economic and Social Research and highlights key figures from Lund University, situating their work within contemporary economic discourse. By emphasizing both renowned and lesser-known contributions, it offers insights into the Swedish tradition in economics, appealing to students and scholars of economic history.

Focusing on the historical context of the Haitian economy, the book delves into the factors contributing to its poor performance. It highlights the shortcomings of the agricultural sector, which has failed to ensure a decent standard of living for the population. Lundahl analyzes the structure of agricultural production and investigates the reasons behind the land's unproductivity, offering insights into the broader economic challenges faced by Haiti.

Focusing on the economics of frontier establishment, the book examines both conquest and peaceful settlement, detailing the associated costs and optimal territorial expansion. It begins with a review of relevant literature and introduces a fundamental theoretical model for frontier extension. Historical case studies, including the Byzantine Empire's territorial divisions, the Mongol Empire's expansion, and the European exploration of the New World, illustrate the application of this model, alongside discussions on the Black Death and trade dynamics from 1870-1914.

Gunnar Myrdal's analysis of poverty is explored through various contexts, including Sweden, the United States, and South Asia, highlighting his methodological advancements. Key themes include circular and cumulative causation, dynamic economic analysis, and the impact of institutional frameworks. The book also addresses the challenges of world poverty and its international implications, while reflecting on the enduring influence of Myrdal's works, "The American Dilemma" and "Asian Drama."

First published in 1999, the essays collected in the present volume derive from an interest in South Africa and its economy which goes back to the early 1970s and were written between 1994 and 1999. The intention is to follow how the debate on the South African economy has evolved since the fall of the apartheid regime. Issues discussed include the South African economy after apartheid and whether the new South African economy is ultimately experienced growth or stagnation.