Exchange and Markets in Early Economic Development: Informal Economy in the Three New Guineas

John D. Conroy*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Book/ReportBookpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The idea of an informal economy emerged from, and is a critique of, the ideology of 'economic development'. It originated from Keith Hart's recognition of informal economic activity in 1960s Ghana. In the context of four colonialisms - German, British, Australian and Dutch - this book recounts Hart's effort in 1972 to introduce the informal 'sector' into development planning in Papua New Guinea. This was problematic, because 'the market' was scarcely institutionalized, and traditional modes of exchange persisted stubbornly. Rather than conforming with post-colonial economic ideology, the subjected people pushed back against imposed bureaucracy to practice informal and hybrid modes of economic activity.

Original languageEnglish
PublisherBerghahn Books
Number of pages294
ISBN (Electronic)9781800739697
ISBN (Print)9781800739680
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 May 2023

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