Theory

Arthur Lewis's Model of Economic Development

Arthur Lewis's model describes a dual-sector economy, comprising a modern 'capitalist' industrial sector and a traditional 'subsistence' agricultural sector. In this framework, the subsistence sector consists of family farms that produce only enough for their own survival. The capitalist sector is characterized by businesses that innovate with new technologies to lower production costs and increase profits. When these businesses are profitable, they expand, creating a demand for labor that is met by drawing workers from the subsistence sector. This labor shift is a key component of the structural transformation of the economy. The model is also applied within macroeconomics to explain why the 'hockey stick' pattern of sustained growth has not yet occurred in some countries.

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Updated 2026-05-02

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