Nigeria and Indonesia

Provides a comparative analysis of the economic development of Indonesia and Nigeria over the period 1950-85, to learn why equitable growth took place in Indonesia but not in Nigeria after 1972, though the two countries ostensibly had similar opportunities. Studies the case of Nigeria, covering the colonial period; the period from independence to chaos, 1960-66; civil war and reconstruction, 1966-73; the first oil cycle, 1973-79; the second oil cycle, 1979-87; economic growth and living standards, 1950-92; factor and product markets; and government finance and the political economy of public policy. Explains the outcomes of choices made for Nigeria. Examines the case of Indonesia, discussing the colonial period; parliamentary democracy, 1950-57; guided democracy, 1957-66; stabilization and the New Order, 1966-73; the first oil boom, 1973-79; the second oil cycle, 1979-88; long-term trends in poverty and equity; factor and product markets; and government finance and public policy. Compares policies and outcomes for income distribution and economic growth in the two countries, and examines why policies themselves differed between the two countries. Bevan is at Oxford University. Collier is with the Development Research Group of the World Bank. Gunning is with the Center for the Study of African Economies, Oxford University. Index