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A Portrait of Development Economics in the Last Sixty Years

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  • Diana Barros (a) Aurora A.C. Teixeira (b)

    ((a) University of Lisbon, Portugal; (b) University of Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

TThe field of Development Economics has experienced significant innovativeness and dynamism in recent years. However, a quantitative review on its precise outlook and evolution has yet to be accomplished. Based on bibliometric techniques were applied to all (9430) the articles and reviews published on ‘economic development’, from 1952 to 2019, we demonstrate that: 1) the yearly publishing rate is quite irregular, observing a noticeable rise from the 1990s onwards; 2) dominance of USA-affiliated researchers among the most prolific and influential authors; 3) increasing relevance of the topics ‘Economic policy’, ‘Institutions and governance’, and ‘Environmental issues’ over time; 4) noticeable trend in economic development towards a post-normal science with a shift from exclusively ‘appreciative’ studies to more ‘formal and empirical’ studies, evidencing an important stage of maturation in the field; 5) the empirical analyses are mostly focused on developed countries, in which the African continent and countries are rather neglected.

Suggested Citation

  • Diana Barros (a) Aurora A.C. Teixeira (b), 2021. "A Portrait of Development Economics in the Last Sixty Years," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 46(2), pages 69-118, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:jed:journl:v:46:y:2021:i:2:p:69-118
    DOI: 10.35866/caujed.2021.46.2.003
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    Keywords

    Sorting Economic Development; Bibliometrics; Web of Science; Citations; Post-normal Science;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C00 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - General
    • C89 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Other
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development

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