The political economy of industrial policy: Structural interdependencies, policy alignment and conflict management

Abstract

Industrial policy is back in the mainstream debates. The paper provides a long-term analytical perspective of the industrial policy debate, and it critically assesses the current mainstream phase of the debate in light of three fundamental theoretical insights that developed along several decades of industrial policy theory and practice. These are related to the (i) structural interdependencies, tensions and dualism arising in the industrialisation process; (ii) variety and types of institutions for industrialisation and the importance of policy alignment; (iii) conflict management role of the government, alongside his entrepreneurial function, and the importance of government organisational capabilities. Building on this theoretical analysis, the last section of the paper provides a framework for the strategic coordination of packages of interactive industrial policy measures. The Policy Package Matrix is introduced as an operationalisation of the framework and a tool for effective industrial policy making.