Technological Change and Income Distribution: Findings from Maldivian Fishing Villages

Sathiendrakumar, R. and Tisdell, C.A. (1990) Technological Change and Income Distribution: Findings from Maldivian Fishing Villages. Journal of Economics and International Relations, 3 (3). pp. 217-240.

Abstract

This article considers the extent to which the policy of motorization of tuna boats, commencing in 1974/1975, has lead to economic growth in the fisheries sector as a whole in the Maldives and in the economy and then analyses the effect of motorization of tuna boats upon absolute levels of income as well as on income distribution. The article also reviews alternative general theories of the impact of economic growth on income distribution, and considers evidence from a socio-economic survey of two fishing villages in the Republic of Maldives on the impact of motorization on income distribution. Results from the two fishing villages compared with the predictions of the four competing theories about the effects of economic growth on income distribution.