First published in 1966, this work summarises the theories of economic growth, both ancient and modern, and presents them in a form particularly suitable for university students, both in the developing world and elsewhere. The objective is to enable students to assess the major factors making for economic development and to encourage them to think about ways of applying their knowledge to the particular problems of their own countries.

In addition there is a special survey of growth and of limiting factors in the economies of underdeveloped countries, with an important analysis of the economic results of planning in the USSR.