Socialism and economic development in Tanzania

Summary

Since economic performance is a key criterion of ‘success’, the Tanzanian socialist experiment is evaluated in terms of the short‐term economic implications of various policies which are ‘socialistic’ in inspiration. The manner and timing of the translation of socialist principles into policy has so far been reasonably cautious and, with the unsurprising exception of the reduced potential contribution to growth from private investment, has not involvea significant costs in terms of growth effects. Some suggestions are offered for improved policies. In particular the pushing of socialist policies beyond the capacity of the available skills to manage them is seen as the greatest future risk both to the success of the socialist experiment and to the growth rate.

Notes

Professor of Political Economy, University of Toronto. An earlier version of this paper was presented at seminars at the University of Toronto and the University College, Nairobi, early in 1969. I am grateful to the participants in these seminars and to the reader for this Journal or their helpful comments.