Three-sector hypothesis

The Three-sector hypothesis is a large-scale economic type theory. It says that there are three kinds of economic activities, which are very different from each other:
The extraction of raw materials
Manufacturing goods
Providing services

These kinds of activities are called economic sectors. The theory speaks about the primary, secondary, and tertiary sector. The theory was developed by Alan Fisher,Fisher A: The clash of progress and security. Macmillan, London 1935 Colin ClarkClark C: The conditions of economic progress. Macmillan, London 1940 and Jean FourastiéFourastié J: Le Grand Espoir du XXe siècle. Progrès technique, progrès économique, progrès social. Presses Universitaires de France, Paris 1949 in the 1930s. Clark used a speech given by Sir William Petty, in 1690.Petty W: Political Arithmetick or a Discourse Concerning, The Extent and Value of Lands, People, Buildings: Husbandry, Manufacture, Commerce, Fishery, Artizans, Seamen, Soldiers; Publick Revenues, Interest, Taxes, Superlucration, Registries, Banks, Valuation of Men, Increasing of Seamen, of Militia's, Harbours, Situation, Shipping, Power at Sea, &c. As the same relates to every Country in general, but more particularly to the Territories of His Majesty of Great Britain, and his Neighbours of Holland, Zealand, and France. London 1690 For this reason the theory is also known as Petty's Law.Murata Y: Engel's law, Petty's law, and agglomeration. In: Journal of Development Economics 87 (2008): 161-177 The first sector is about directly using natural resources, the second sector is about processing these resources to obtain "higher level" goods.

The theory also says that the main focus of the economy of a country will change, from the primary to the secondary, and from the secondary to the tertiary sector, as economic development progresses.

References

Category:Macroeconomics