The Philippines: The Political Economy of Growth and Impoverishment

In this review of The Philippines: The Political Economy of Growth and Impoverishment in the Marcos Era, the reviewer finds a rigorous, historically grounded study best suited for readers who want a clear explanation of why economic growth failed to benefit large segments of the population. Professor James K. Boyce traces policy choices across agriculture, export sectors, and external borrowing, and the book's central argument - that structural political economy produced rising incomes alongside deepening poverty - is presented with careful evidence and analysis. This is a focused, academic review for readers seeking explanation rather than policy platitudes.

Key Features

• Historical scope: Analyzes the Philippine economy from the 1960s through the 1980s, showing how policies unfolded over three decades and produced long-term effects.
• Policy focus: Concentrates on three government strategies-the green revolution in rice, emphasis on export agriculture and forestry, and massive external borrowing-linking each to distributional outcomes.
• Evidence-based narrative: Uses empirical and institutional detail to explain why per capita income growth did not translate into broad poverty reduction.
• Thematic clarity: Makes a sustained argument about the interaction of political structure and economic choices, helping readers connect policy to social impact.
• Academic framing: Written in a scholarly voice suitable for readers in politics, development studies, and economic history who want depth over summary.

Who It's For

This book is for graduate students, researchers, and policy analysts interested in political economy and development where case studies illuminate broader theories of growth and inequality. It is particularly useful for those studying Southeast Asia, agrarian policy, or the effects of external debt on domestic social outcomes.

Readers looking for a light overview, quick policy prescriptions, or a popular narrative history should look elsewhere; the book is deliberately analytical and assumes some familiarity with economic and political concepts.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear linkage of government strategy to social outcomes makes the central argument persuasive and informative.
• Detailed treatment of the green revolution, export agriculture, and external borrowing helps explain sectoral choices and distributional effects.
• Valuable for academics and students seeking a case-driven analysis of why growth did not reduce poverty.

Cons

• Its scholarly tone and depth may be dense for casual readers seeking a concise popular summary.

Specifications

Title	The Philippines: The Political Economy of Growth and Impoverishment in the Marcos Era
Author	James K. Boyce
Subject	Political economy of the Philippines, 1960s-1980s
Focus areas	Rice green revolution; export agriculture and forestry; external borrowing
Approach	Historical and institutional analysis linking policy to poverty
Intended audience	Students, researchers, policy analysts

Our Verdict

Boyce's study is a valuable, well-documented examination of how specific development choices can coincide with rising poverty despite GDP growth; its strength is in tracing institutional and sectoral mechanisms, making it a worthwhile purchase for anyone seeking rigorous explanation of the Marcos-era economy and lessons on the politics of development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book cover only economic data?
The book combines economic trends with political and institutional analysis to explain distributional outcomes rather than relying solely on statistics.

Is prior knowledge of Philippine history required?
Some familiarity with modern Philippine history or development economics helps, but the author explains key events and policies relevant to the argument.

Who benefits most from reading this book?
Graduate students, academics, and policy researchers focused on development, agrarian policy, and international borrowing will gain the most.