The process of cumulative causation was put forward by which author?

Correct option is C

Introduction
The process of Cumulative Causation was put forward by Swedish economist and Nobel laureate Gunnar Myrdal in his 1957 work Economic Theory and Underdeveloped Regions.

The theory describes how economic forces naturally tend to increase, rather than decrease, the inequalities between core and peripheral regions, leading away from economic equilibrium.

Information Booster

• Core Concept: An initial economic advantage in one area (the Core) sets in motion a circular, self-reinforcing process that continuously accumulates advantages in that area at the expense of others (the Periphery).
• Backwash Effects (Polarizing Effects): These are the negative, draining impacts experienced by the periphery due to the growth of the core. They are the stronger of the two forces, leading to deepening inequality.
  • Migration: Skilled labor and young, dynamic individuals are attracted away from the periphery to the core.
  • Capital Flow: Investment capital flows from the periphery to the core seeking higher returns.
  • Trade: The core’s industries often outcompete peripheral industries, leading to their decline.
• Spread Effects (Trickle-Down Effects): These are the positive impacts that hypothetically flow from the core to the periphery.
  • Increased demand from the core for raw materials and agricultural products from the periphery.
  • Diffusion of technology and innovation.
• Myrdal's Conclusion: He argued that, in the absence of policy intervention, backwash effects will dominate spread effects, leading to a vicious cycle of stagnation in the periphery and sustained growth in the core.

Additional Knowledge

• Albert Hirschmann: Associated with the theory of Unbalanced Growth, arguing that deliberate imbalances should be created to foster development through strong industrial linkages.
• John Friedmann: Developed the Core-Periphery Model in spatial geography, which often uses Myrdal's concepts to explain the dynamic relationship and spatial disparity between the core and dependent periphery.
• W. Rostow: Known for the Stages of Economic Growth model, which views development as a unilinear, sequential process, contrasting sharply with Myrdal's theory of accumulating disequilibrium.