countries with a large population (Japan), with natural resources available at just the right time in its history (Coal in Northern European countries), or with a large land mass (Argentina). He has little to say and indeed offers little hope for small countries, such as Rwanda, which do not have such advantages. Neo-liberal economic theory to Rostow, and many others, does offer hope to much of the world that economic maturity is coming and the age of high mass-consumption is nigh. This does leave a potential "grim meathook future" for the outliers, which do not have the resources, political will, or external backing to become competitive with already developed economies. (See Dependency theory) See also Development economics Ragnar Nurkse Virtuous circle and vicious circle Strategy of unbalanced growth Dual economy Big push model References Further reading Rostow, W. W. (1959) “The Stages of Economic Growth.” Economic History Review 12#1 1959, pp. 1–16. online Economic growth Economic history studies Economics models Linear theories Political economy