The current state-market debate considers economic growth to be a result of either market forces or state policies. Such a dichotomous view of economic growth ignores or obscures potential state-market collaboration in promoting economic development. Historical and contemporary experiences in development reveal that rapid economic growth is determined by both market forces and state policies interacting within a given context. In Japan and the newly industrializing countries (NICS) of Southeast Asia, a strong developmental state has guided market forces to ensure rapid economic growth. And in the West, even advocates of the market have at one time or another tried to achieve a state-market partnership in their development strategies. Finally, in most Third World countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where markets and states are weak or in decline, achieving sustained economic growth and democracy will require both strong markets and states. Thus, expecting economic growth solely from markets or states is unrealistic.
