Reconfiguring Industrial Policy: A Framework with an Application to South Africa

25 Pages Posted: 22 Aug 2008 Last revised: 29 Aug 2008

See all articles by Ricardo Hausmann

Ricardo Hausmann

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

Dani Rodrik

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Charles Sabel

Columbia University - Columbia Law School

Date Written: August 2008

Abstract

The main purpose of industrial policy is to speed up the process of structural change towards higher productivity activities. This paper builds on our earlier writings to present an overall design for the conduct of industrial policy in a low- to middle-income country. It is stimulated by the specific problems faced by South Africa and by our discussions with business and government officials in that country. We present specific recommendations for the South African government in the penultimate section of the paper.

Keywords: industrial policy, South Africa

JEL Classification: O25

Suggested Citation

Hausmann, Ricardo and Rodrik, Dani and Sabel, Charles Frederick, Reconfiguring Industrial Policy: A Framework with an Application to South Africa (August 2008). HKS Working Paper No. RWP08-031, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1245702 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1245702

Ricardo Hausmann (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) ( email )

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Dani Rodrik

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) ( email )

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Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Charles Frederick Sabel

Columbia University - Columbia Law School ( email )

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