Economic Development in Ghana and Malaysia investigates why two countries that appeared to be at more or less the same stage of economic development at one point in time have diverged so substantially. At the time of their independence from the UK in 1957, both Ghana and Malaysia were at roughly the same stage of economic development; in fact, Ghana’s real per capita income was slightly ahead of Malaysia’s. Since then, Ghana’s development has been sluggish, while Malaysia’s economy has taken off into sustained growth and today, the real per capita income of Malaysia is about five times that of Ghana. This volume examines the pre-colonial and colonial economies of both countries, and the economic policies pursued after independence. In doing so, it aims to identify policies which might have contributed to Malaysia’s development and those which might have slowed Ghana’s. The authors ask whether lessons can be learned from the successes of countries such as Malaysia. This detailed comparative analysis will be useful to students and researchers of development economics as well as public policy makers in developing countries. It is written in language which makes it accessible to the general reader.

The subject of research was whether it is possible to establish modern cooperative societies in traditionally integrated communities. Views of laymen, politicians and sociologists are presented. The characteristics of tribal societies and loosely structured societies are discussed. An analysis is made of the location of research in Sarawak, in particular the Government's development policy and aspects of the Land Dayak structure and culture. Case studies and surveys showed that Land Dayak villages disintegrate when they are incorporated into the market economy and political structure of Sarawak. The frequency of traditional cooperative activities diminishes and new activities do not become institutionalized, because no material sanctions are connected with social control. Sometimes an outwardly oriented traditional leader or close guidance by development workers retards the process of disintegration.

Malaysia has grown and changed a great deal since it was formed on 16 September 1963. It was then seen as an unlikely nation hastily put together as a federation of British controlled territories in the region. Brunei's refusal to join at the eleventh hour and Singapore's secession before its second birthday only seemed to confirm such doubts.Yet, it has not only survived, but even thrived, often cited as a developing country worthy of emulation. Ruled by the same ruling coalition since the mid-1950s, it has been tempting to emphasize continuities, and there certainly have been many.Looking back at its last half century, this volume first considers changes in development policy in response to national as well as international developments. The remaining three parts consider how public policy has been influenced by and has, in turn, influenced economic distribution, public finance and economic federalism.Besides the familiar focus on ethnic disparities, regional and other distribution issues are considered. The discussion of government taxation as well as spending also focuses on distribution implications. Although constitutionally a federation, Malaysia has been more centralized than most federal states.The way forward requires greater sensitivity to the complex political economy of Malaysia's unlikely, but nonetheless resilient federation and ruling coalition.This book is published and distributed worldwide by World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd except Malaysia.

This book considers crucial changes to Malaysian economic areas and social well-being. The chapters cover diverse industries such as IT, green technology, retailing, banking, tourism and hospitality, education, logistics, finance, banking, and many others.

Based on research among the women of the Bidayuh people in Sarawak, all of them first generation migrant wage workers, this book explores the changes in women's lifestyles from traditional rural lifestyles to modern urban ones.