As origens, normalmente, não são para os desprevenidos aquilo que seria de esperar

As origens intelectuais e políticas das políticas de desenvolvimento? Bem, pelo menos, cruza com muito do que era invocado para justificar o "ultramar português". Tese interessante, mas há mais: por exemplo, a relação entre capitalismo/mercados livres e colonialismo/imperialismo - inesperada para a "convencional wisdom" na matéria; o posicionamento dos economistas clássicos versus outros intelectuais do tempo na questão da escravatura:

• How the British Invented “Development” to Keep the Empire and Substitute for Racism 16.0.09: "To repress independence movements, however, Hailey made a distinction between political development and economic development: “Political liberties are meaningless unless they can be built on a better foundation of social and economic progress.” (A line that autocrats have been using ever since.) The Colonial Office thought many colonies “little removed from their primitive state,” so “they will probably not be fit for complete independence for centuries.” Of course, changing the language from racist to economic development did not mean racism suddenly disappeared. As Wolton shows, “the white Western elites still believed in their fundamental superiority.” In the end, Wolton says, “The major powers would continue to be able to determine the future of the colonial territories – only this time the source of their legitimacy was based less on racial difference and more on their new role as protector and developmental economist.” After the war, even more officials went out to the Empire in what became known as the “second colonial occupation.” Why does this history matter today?" 

• The Imperial Origins of State-Led Development: 17.09.09: "So imperialism is not so clearly linked to capitalism and free markets after all; historically there has been a closer link between colonialism/imperialism and state-led approaches to development. People who like Imperialism are fond of a big military state presence, so it’s not so surprising that they are also fond of a big economic state presence."

• Lies My Poets Told Me: The Prehistory of Development Economics: 12.11.09:  "A couple months ago, Bill addressed the imperial origins of state-led development, arguing that economic development was a substitute for racism as a rationalization of empire. I think it’s worthwhile to delve a bit further into the intellectual and social context in which these ideas were put forward. Why bother? Because ideas matter for policy. There are good, hard-nosed reasons for believing that rationales are not mere epiphenomena of political interests. Understanding why and how certain policies are implemented requires some digging into the justifications of policymakers. A bit of intellectual archaeology might also identify some path dependence in economic thinking about development. The point is not to impugn the motives of current policymakers or academic researchers, but to shed light on any hidden intellectual baggage that might be weighing down their efforts. Old dead economists might teach us something valuable after all."