Unpacking the developer's dilemma

An ISID policy roundtable event

Unpacking the developer's dilemma – panel discussion at ISID


On 24 February, the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID), hosts a policy roundtable on 'Industrialisation, inequalities, and inclusive development: lessons from global experiences' to launch The developer's dilemma, an Open Access UNU-WIDER book, co-edited by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Andy Sumner, and Arief Anshory Yusuf. 

Watch the recording of the event here

In the first session, UNU-WIDER director Kunal Sen presents an introduction, sharing the conceptual framework and main findings of the book. This is followed by a panel discussion on the relevance of the findings for the Indian and G20 context with Deepak Nayyar, Professor Emeritus, JNU, New Delhi, Sudipto Mundle, Chairman of the Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Mausumi Das, Delhi School of Economics. The session is chaired by Ajay Shankar, Visiting Distinguished Fellow, ISID.

In the second part of the event Saon Ray, ICRIER, and Prof Sabyasachi Kar, Institute of Economic Growth, present the findings from their chapter Inclusive structural transformation in India: Past episodes and future trajectories. 

About The developer's dilemma

The developer's dilemma reflects on the challenge that developing countries face during periods of economic development —the tension between building a productive economy and the unequal distribution of the benefits of economic development. Drawing on case studies from nine developing countries, the developer’s dilemma shows that rising inequality is not inevitable. In-depth analysis reveals insights into the pathways of structural transformation and the likely inequality effects —and the specific policy approaches that can best mitigate increased inequality.