The Breakthrough

Abstract

We have seen how the different characteristics of economic backwardness are interrelated and mutually support one another. This gives rise to the self-perpetuating character of economic backwardness. No special explanation is necessary regarding why poverty and stagnation have continued to hold sway over a long period in many countries. It is growth which must be treated as a special phenomenon. Some countries haN e achieved a breakthrough from the vicious circle of poverty. Given the nature of economic backwardness, how did these countries overcome stagnation and embark on a course of sustained development?