Environment and Development in a Resource-Rich Economy: Malaysia under the New Economic Policy (Harvard Studies in International Development) [Hardcover]

Jeffrey R. Vincent (Author), Rozali M. Ali (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997 | Series: Harvard Studies in International Development

Malaysia interests development practitioners for many reasons, not least because of its remarkably rich natural environment. Environment and Development in a Resource-Rich Economy provides an invaluable analysis of major natural resource and environmental policy issues in the country during the 1970s and 1980s--a period of profound socioeconomic changes, rapid depletion of natural resources, and the emergence of serious air and water pollution problems.

What is path-breaking about this book is its emphasis on economics as a source of concepts and methods for analyzing natural resource and environmental issues and policy responses. The authors' access to unpublished data and key decision makers makes this account of extensive, field-based research an essential reference for policy makers and researchers concerned about environmental and natural resource management--both in Malaysia and throughout the globe. The book should be of particular interest for students who hope to understand more thoroughly the economic underpinnings of natural resource and environmental management policy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Though its remarkably rich natural environment makes Malaysia an area of particular interest to development practitioners, it has suffered from a paucity of pertinent literature, a lack of data for empirical analysis and the absence of complete and accurate descriptions of key policy reforms. This book sets out to create a reference volume that will help other researchers overcome these obstacles and facilitate further research on Malaysian natural resource and environmental policy. (Rural Development Forestry Network )

The book is clearly written. The authors achieve an admirable balance between the use of relatively simple economic models, lucidly explained, and a thorough analysis of institutions and policies, all set in historical context. A wealth of data is summarised in a series of very accessible charts and tables, with mathematical and statistical details relegated to appendices. The book is essential reading for those concerned with the development of the Malaysian economy and its impact on the environment. (Rob Cramb Asian Studies Review )

Product Details

• Hardcover: 420 pages
• Publisher: Harvard Kennedy School (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674258525
• ISBN-13: 978-0674258525
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,795,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book does a fine job of compiling evidence and results., April 16, 1999

By 

D. Squires (La Jolla, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Environment and Development in a Resource-Rich Economy: Malaysia under the New Economic Policy (Harvard Studies in International Development) (Paperback)

The book does a fine job of compiling evidence and results. The book is clearly written and organized. The book is a welcome additon to the study of Malaysia and to study of environment and development in general. The fisheries section, the sector I know from first-hand experience, is well done and includes original material.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars updated edition available, June 23, 2005

By 

Margaret A. Keller (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Environment and Development in a Resource-Rich Economy: Malaysia under the New Economic Policy (Harvard Studies in International Development) (Hardcover)

A new, updated edition of this book is available from RFF Press / Resources for the Future. Its title is: "Managing Natural Wealth: Environment and Development in Malaysia"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful Reference for Research on Malaysia, September 24, 2000

By 

Azlan Adnan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Environment and Development in a Resource-Rich Economy: Malaysia under the New Economic Policy (Harvard Studies in International Development) (Paperback)

This path-breaking book applies rigorous and invaluable economic analysis to major natural resource and environmental policy issues in Malaysia under the New Economic Policy decades of the 1970s and 1980s-a period of profound socio-economic changes, rapid depletion of natural resources, and the emergence of serious air and water pollution problems.

It examines the interrelationship among natural resources, environmental quality, and economic development. This scholarly work addresses, from an economic perspective, a broad set of natural resource and environmental issues in Malaysia and places it in a historical context.

This book would be of particular interest to resource and environmental economists, and development economists, i.e. anyone seeking a thorough understanding of the economic underpinnings of natural resource and environmental management policy in fast-growing, resource-abundant Malaysia. It represents a reference volume to facilitate further research on Malaysian natural resource and environmental policy issues.

Dr Jeffrey R. Vincent is a Fellow at the Harvard Institute for International Development. Formerly director of the Centre for Environmental Studies at Malaysia's Institute of Strategic and International Studies, Dr Rozali Mohamed Ali is currently executive director of Commerce Asset Holdings Berhad.