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Asia's Underachiever: Deep Constraints in Philippine Economic Growth

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  • Briones, Roehlano M.

Abstract

Numerous studies have tried to explain the poor growth performance of the Philippines. This paper critically reviews related literature on constraints to long-run growth, as it applies to the Philippines. We evaluate several factors, namely: culture, corruption, and institutions. The last offers the most convincing explanation for mediocre growth. Hence, to raise the country’s growth trajectory, I recommend: sustained policy reform; less hand-wringing over Filipino culture and corruption; and above all, focused and sustained development of functional capitalistic institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Briones, Roehlano M., 2009. "Asia's Underachiever: Deep Constraints in Philippine Economic Growth," Discussion Papers DP 2009-04, Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:phd:dpaper:dp_2009-04
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Florian A. Alburo, 2015. "Development Dynamics in the Philippines Historical Perspectives: 1950-2010," UP School of Economics Discussion Papers 201514, University of the Philippines School of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Philippines; development; institutions; growth constraints;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • Q47 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy Forecasting

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