Economic Development and the Division of Labor

Book excerpt: This innovative new text from Jeffrey Sachs and Xiokai Yangintroduces students to development economics from the perspectivesof inframarginal analysis and marginal analysis. The bookdemonstrates how the new-found emphasis on inframarginal analysishas influenced a shift back to an interest in Classical Economicsfrom Neoclassical Economics. Inframarginal Analysis vs. Marginal Analysis is presented as aconsistent theoretical framework throughout. Shows how the relationship of Inframarginal Analysis toMarginal Analysis has influenced the shift back to an interest inClassical Economics from Neoclassical Economics with regard toeconomic development. Allows economists to reduce their overall reliance on marginalanalysis, which may be less relevant to development economics thanit is to the economics of development countries. Brings considerable analytic machinery to bear on importantproblems. A focus on institutions and transaction costs that is veryrelevant to development economics. Offers a thorough analysis of trade (CHs. 3 - 7) andmacroeconomics (CHs. 16 - 19), both of which are not dealth with indepth by comparable textbooks.