Revealing the Political Science of Development Paradigm Shift; A Study Based on Conceptual Analysis and Pragmatic Evidences

There are four choice of grand development paradigm; the Liberalism, Controlled Economy, Neoliberalism and a mixed paradigm. However, it has been revealed that a mixture of policy paradigm is the more profitable paradigm for the least developed nations. This stance is advocated based on the fact that conceptually, all paradigms holds some development potentiality and therefore, neither of the three is completely perfect nor completely wrong. Therefore, the least developed countries encourage not to be dragged/dictated by just one school of thoughts in choosing a development paradigm, instead they should decide based on the country’s challenges and requirements versus available policy options. Based on this view, any profitable policy is a deal regardless of whether it resemble liberal or controlled or neoliberal paradigm, and this is the basis of advocating a mixed policy paradigm. Based on the conceptual analysis and empirical evidences, it has been revealed that gradualism approach of paradigm shift is a more valuable than a revolutionary. Based on the fact that gradualism approach is characterized with the limited shock risk in terms of its outcome, the least developed nations are advocated to apply the evolution approach to shift from the legacy to a mixed policy paradigm. The author’s view is provided based on the fact that, the experienced and the theoretical model has provided the evidence that the least developed countries which are normally characterised by a limited quality of human capital and resources as well democracy constraints has been or can be more successfully when they apply a gradualism approach. Based on outcomes, China and Vietnam which have shifted through gradualism approach to a mixed paradigm are cited as good example of successfully model of paradigm shift. Moreover, this study has highlighted that adequate of political engagement to enable or manage a paradigm shift process is a key ingredient to the success of the shifting decision and process. In other hand, the political negligence can lead to paradigm failure and consequently instability in the country. Also, the political instruments are advocated to note that searching for better development paradigm as well as undergoing a regular paradigm evaluation is continuous and important input to the development and survival of the paradigm