The Stages of Economic Growth: A Non-Communist Manifesto

by W.W. Rostow

A third edition of The Stages of Economic Growth brings this classic work up to date with current economic and political changes. In a new preface and appendix, Professor Rostow extends his analysis to include recent economic and political developments as well as the advances in theory concerning nonlinear and chaotic phenomena. For those coming to his work for the first time, the original text and the introductions and appendices from earlier editions are included. This volume will not only be of interest to those concerned with the theory of economic growth, but also to students of policy since the 1960s. In the text Professor Rostow gives an account of economic growth based on a dynamic theory of production and interpreted in terms of actual societies. Five basic stages of economic growth are distinguished with detailed discussions of each stage including illustrative examples. He also applies the concept of stages of growth to an examination of the problems of military aggression and the nuclear arms race. The final chapter includes a comparison of his non-communist manifesto with Marxist theory. Materials from the second edition include an appendix in which he responds to some of his critics.

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction, History

324 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1960

About the author

Walt Whitman Rostow

Reviews

[Francisco Tapiador · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of those I had to read it when I was a student. Re-read a few months ago. Easy to grasp, not convincing at all in some bits. As most economical theory books, it is a mix of fiction and real data.

[Nawasandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me be more humble and decent in reviewing this wonderful book this time. It’s wonderful not because of 100 percent its contents, but more because of what’s behind it and how Rostow hides his skepticism toward the charm of economic growth while he has to serve his patron’s (sorry) ego for Presidential election.

Yes, I’m talking about the late Kennedy back in 1960, to whom Rostow dedicate his book. I bet Rostow knew well how to be in the middle of giants wresting for power and insert skepticism on his own idea to reshape the nation toward economic giant, a more gigantic than before. He’s not just selling dream, he includes path, a clue towards inclusive growth for 21st century.

A recipe for degrowth which starts with his skepticism on the illusion of growth. A short sentence hiding in the end of the book.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading to understand contemporary thinking on development. We should not forget that the book's subtitle was "an anti-communist manifesto".

[Tobi ﾄﾋﾞ · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best i’ve read ever. not because i like the ideas or intentions or anything like that. but just because

[joaobelieber · Rating 1 out of 5]

finalmente!! minha vida estava chegando ao fim ao terminar esta leitura! horroroso!!! tira dados e interpreta eles de forma absurda! tem argumentos tenebrosos!!! não gostei mesmo so algumas coisas q ele fala da urss kind of fazem sentido mas so as vezes

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should deserve 3.5 star maybe. Better that many would assume.

Rostow here identifies as an economic historian, not an economist and at times it shows in a positive way. For example several parts of the books argue that you can not see a take off to growth in average GDP/c-statistics but need to look at sectoral developments.

A large and suddenly not-that-dated-anymore part is about the danger of military conflict between hegemonic and rising powers, tied to the process of a switch from a modernizing society to modern consumer societies. While seen as naively optimistic, many predictions are quite accurate, eg. his expectation that China would be reaching the production frontier and switching to a consumer society about now. It's not really Rostow's fault some interpreted him to expect this change to come within 10-20 years instead of 70.


Still the usual criticism isn't all incorrect either. The interactions between states (except war) are underdiscussed. Most discussions are quite shallow, even if he points out there are nuances. The main concept of "stages" (there is no growth, then it slowly starts, the gets faster, then after a while a country becomes modernized) is trivial if interpreted with the possibility of nuance and setbacks and mostly wrong if interpreted as a strict unilinear prediction.

[Imaduddin Ahmed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accurately predicted Chindia's populations and trajectories back in 1959/60. Interesting to see how Cold War US economists thought and shaped foreign aid policy.

[Tia]

Read for a course.

[Jason King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatest explanatory/predictive power among contemporaries.

[Graeme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why are some countries more advanced and economically successful than others? Walt Rostow proposed stages of growth and the criteria that nations must meet to graduate from one to the next in a series of lectures at Cambridge University in 1955. He called them, somewhat arbitrarily: the traditional society, preloading for takeoff, the takeoff, the drive to maturity, the age of mass consumption, and beyond consumption. If you're planning to turn an also-ran country into a prosperous economic powerhouse this book is a good place to start. Some of the sections are dated or obsolete, as you would expect.

[Estelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really precise book, interesting and very easy to understand.
The topic is always talked about, so this book helped me a lot to understand the world as it is today and a bit of what is at stake