This book identifies the differences in growth and development, and the various factors lying behind them, across both Middle East and North African (MENA) and East Asian countries over the 1960-2020 period.

Mustapha K. Nabli has been Professor of Economics at the University of Tunis, Chairman of the Tunis Stock Exchange, Minister of Planning, Regional and Economic Development in the Government of Tunisia, Chief Economist and Director of the Social and Economic Development Department for the Middle East and North Africa Region at the World Bank, and Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia.

Jeffrey B. Nugent is Professor of Economics at the University of Southern California, USA. He has worked on and in various countries of both the MENA and East Asian regions including for the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. He has also served on the Board of both the Cairo-based Economic Research Forum and as President of the Middle East Economic Association.

1. Introduction: Tunisia's Economic and Social Outcomes in Comparative Perspective 2. Structural Transformation and Long Term Growth in Tunisia and across Sample Countries 3. A Historical Perspective on Tunisia' Development: Initial Conditions, Strategies and Policies 4. Why Has Tunisia Been More Successful in Growth and Development than Other MENA Countries? 5. Why Has Tunisia Not Done as Well in Economic Growth and Economic Development as the Most Successful East Asian Countries? 6. A Political Economy Analysis of the Balance over time Between the Roles of the State, Markets and the Private Sector 7. Uprisings, Democracy and Transition 8. Conclusions