Accounting for the visiting economist syndrome

Purpose - – Economic experts play a decisive role in development aid. Yet their propensity to prescribe universal solutions to developmental challenges without an in-depth knowledge of local circumstances has been criticized time and again as the “visiting economist syndrome.” The purpose of this paper is to investigate the historic foundations of this oft-criticized behavioral pattern, adding a missing historical dimension to a contemporary discussion. Design/methodology/approach - – The main method employed is historical analysis, or to be more precise, an examination of the history of ideas. The question to be answered with this method is: where and in what context did the idea of the know-it-all “development expert” emerge? Findings - – The commonly observed behavioral pattern of development experts has its roots in a coherent development mindset invented by one particular thinker and expounded in one particular text in the late eighteenth century. As will be shown, the “visiting economist” is an integral part of the western notions of progress and civilization. Practical implications - – The paper contributes to an ongoing discussion. By identifying the hitherto overlooked historical foundations of current expert behavior, it can suggest new directions based on a reassessment of the fundamental assumptions regarding the notions of progress and development. Originality/value - – The paper will sensitize those interested in or working in the field of development to the fact that much of the current practice is influenced by mindsets that emerged several 100 years ago. Links to the past are seldom considered in a field focussed on improving the future. Nonetheless, such an approach is invaluable if genuine change in expert behavior is to be achieved.