{"product_id":"the-philippines-the-political-economy-of-growth-and-impoverishment","title":"The Philippines: The Political Economy of Growth and Impoverishment","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Analyzes the Philippine economy from the 1960s through the 1980s, showing how policies unfolded over three decades and produced long-term effects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolicy focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEvidence-based narrative:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uses empirical and institutional detail to explain why per capita income growth did not translate into broad poverty reduction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThematic clarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Makes a sustained argument about the interaction of political structure and economic choices, helping readers connect policy to social impact.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcademic framing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written in a scholarly voice suitable for readers in politics, development studies, and economic history who want depth over summary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is for graduate students, researchers, and policy analysts interested in \u003cstrong\u003epolitical economy\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eClear linkage of government strategy to social outcomes makes the central argument persuasive and informative.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDetailed treatment of the green revolution, export agriculture, and external borrowing helps explain sectoral choices and distributional effects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eValuable for academics and students seeking a case-driven analysis of why growth did not reduce poverty.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIts scholarly tone and depth may be dense for casual readers seeking a concise popular summary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Philippines: The Political Economy of Growth and Impoverishment in the Marcos Era\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJames K. Boyce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolitical economy of the Philippines, 1960s-1980s\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRice green revolution; export agriculture and forestry; external borrowing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorical and institutional analysis linking policy to poverty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents, researchers, policy analysts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoyce'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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book cover only economic data?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book combines economic trends with political and institutional analysis to explain distributional outcomes rather than relying solely on statistics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior knowledge of Philippine history required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome familiarity with modern Philippine history or development economics helps, but the author explains key events and policies relevant to the argument.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho benefits most from reading this book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGraduate students, academics, and policy researchers focused on development, agrarian policy, and international borrowing will gain the most.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"James K. 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