Mireille Razafindrakoto is Senior Researcher at the French Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD). She is the co-editor of many books, including Madagascar d'une crise l'autre: ruptures et continuité (2018), The Informal Economy in Developing Countries (2014) and The New International Poverty Reduction Strategies (2003). François Roubaud is Senior Research Fellow at the French Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD). He is the co-editor of many books, including Randomized Control Trials in the Field of Development: Critical Perspectives (2020), Madagascar d'une crise l'autre: ruptures et continuité (2018), and The New International Poverty Reduction Strategies (2003). Jean-Michel Wachsberger is a Lecturer of Sociology at the University of Lille. He is the co-editor of many books, including Madagascar d'une crise l'autre: ruptures et continuité (2018) and L'intégration sociale hiérarchisée: L'exemple d'une métropole en développement (2014).

'The economy of Madagascar is quite unlike that of other states on the African continent. Puzzle and Paradox is a rare attempt to understand this phenomenon at a fundamental level. This book is sure to make us reconsider the entire issue of development much more critically.' Maurice Bloch, London School of Economics

• Foreword; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations and acronyms; General introduction; 1. The Malagasy mystery through the lens of economic growth and development theories; 2. Milestones for a political economy of Madagascar's trajectory; 3. Structural assets; 4. Obstacles; 5. Elites in Madagascar: a sociography; General conclusion; Timeline; Glossary of Malagasy terms; References; Index.

Mireille Razafindrakoto is Senior Researcher at the French Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD). She is the co-editor of many books, including Madagascar d'une crise l'autre: ruptures et continuité (2018), The Informal Economy in Developing Countries (2014) and The New International Poverty Reduction Strategies (2003). François Roubaud is Senior Research Fellow at the French Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD). He is the co-editor of many books, including Randomized Control Trials in the Field of Development: Critical Perspectives (2020), Madagascar d'une crise l'autre: ruptures et continuité (2018), and The New International Poverty Reduction Strategies (2003). Jean-Michel Wachsberger is a Lecturer of Sociology at the University of Lille. He is the co-editor of many books, including Madagascar d'une crise l'autre: ruptures et continuité (2018) and L'intégration sociale hiérarchisée: L'exemple d'une métropole en développement (2014).

'The economy of Madagascar is quite unlike that of other states on the African continent. Puzzle and Paradox is a rare attempt to understand this phenomenon at a fundamental level. This book is sure to make us reconsider the entire issue of development much more critically.' Maurice Bloch, London School of Economics

• Foreword; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations and acronyms; General introduction; 1. The Malagasy mystery through the lens of economic growth and development theories; 2. Milestones for a political economy of Madagascar's trajectory; 3. Structural assets; 4. Obstacles; 5. Elites in Madagascar: a sociography; General conclusion; Timeline; Glossary of Malagasy terms; References; Index.

Mireille Razafindrakoto is Senior Researcher at the French Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD). She is the co-editor of many books, including Madagascar d'une crise l'autre: ruptures et continuité (2018), The Informal Economy in Developing Countries (2014) and The New International Poverty Reduction Strategies (2003). François Roubaud is Senior Research Fellow at the French Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD). He is the co-editor of many books, including Randomized Control Trials in the Field of Development: Critical Perspectives (2020), Madagascar d'une crise l'autre: ruptures et continuité (2018), and The New International Poverty Reduction Strategies (2003). Jean-Michel Wachsberger is a Lecturer of Sociology at the University of Lille. He is the co-editor of many books, including Madagascar d'une crise l'autre: ruptures et continuité (2018) and L'intégration sociale hiérarchisée: L'exemple d'une métropole en développement (2014).

'The economy of Madagascar is quite unlike that of other states on the African continent. Puzzle and Paradox is a rare attempt to understand this phenomenon at a fundamental level. This book is sure to make us reconsider the entire issue of development much more critically.' Maurice Bloch, London School of Economics

• Foreword; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations and acronyms; General introduction; 1. The Malagasy mystery through the lens of economic growth and development theories; 2. Milestones for a political economy of Madagascar's trajectory; 3. Structural assets; 4. Obstacles; 5. Elites in Madagascar: a sociography; General conclusion; Timeline; Glossary of Malagasy terms; References; Index.