February 15, 2002
The Developmental State Model and the Challenges to Lebanon

This workshop presented two analytical frameworks that may help explain the successes and failures of Lebanon’s political economy as a result of its developmental policies. First, the Developmental State model uses a structuralist approach to understand the economic role of the State, with an emphasis on supporting the industrial sector. Second, the Neo-patrimonial State approach portrays a country’s development blockage as a result of privatization of the state.
Participants applied each approach to the Lebanese situation by analyzing the country’s industrial policies, administrative reform, and urban planning issues and placing them in a comparative context.
Applied conclusions will hopefully lead to a diagnosis of Lebanon’s economic and social ills in order to promote equitable and effective development.