Path Dependence and History in the Malaysian Civil Service

Willy McCourt

Abstract

Path dependence' refers to the way in which an industry's or a country's choice of a particular technology or mode of governance is a 'critical juncture' which 'locks in' the choice and closes off alternative paths of development. It implicitly denies that governments can do much to influence long-term direction; donors still less. The article explores similarities and contrasts with the treatment of these questions in mainstream historiography, particularly the work of Braudel. A case study of the Malaysian civil service finds that the consolidation of the civil service in the 1950s was a 'critical juncture', but that its subsequent evolution, in which individual 'agency' was important, has been equally significant in giving it its overall shape. The abiding value of the path dependence view for development studies lies in its insight that history shapes and constrains policymaking. It is an insight that development scholars, leaning on historiography, would do well to develop process. Nevertheless, it is concluded that the application of Western-based career practices should be implemented only as one element of a comprehensive HR modernisation programme.

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