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This chapter argues that the regional income gap of China is endogenously determined by its long-term economic development strategy. The comparative advantage-defying (CAD) strategy, adopted by the Chinese government in the pre-reform era, encouraged firms to deviate from the economy's existing comparative advantages by prioritizing capital-intensive heavy industries. Under this strategy, many enterprises were not viable in competitive markets and required government support and protection. Consequently, the CAD strategy retarded the functions of market, impeded capital accumulation, and hindered technology and productivity progress in many provinces. In the post-reform period, provinces in central and western China continue to follow the CAD strategy and have poor growth records, while the coastal areas started to adopt the comparative advantage-following (CAF) strategy by facilitating firms' entry into an industry or choice of technology according to the economy's existing comparative advantages. This difference in development strategies represents the most fundamental cause of regional disparity in China. Therefore, it is imperative to replace the CAD strategy with a CAF strategy and restructure the existing industries in all provinces based on the principle of comparative advantage. This would lead to balanced development among regions and provinces.

This chapter examines the impact of the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), a socio-economic framework for enabling sustainable human development in Nigeria, and how it incorporates the basic targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) into government policy at both the national and grassroots levels. The chapter draws on the results of a study that was conducted to assess the specific impacts of the NEEDS policy in the process of improving the condition of existence in Nigeria by promoting socio-economic inclusivity. It considers the achievements of the NEEDS, the impediments that have constrained its functioning, and the lessons that have been or could be learnt from related achievements and failures of past development policies in Nigeria. It also offers some recommendations to make the NEEDS more effective in addressing the challenges and threats posed by poverty and other social incongruence in Nigeria.

This chapter discusses the problem of rapid population growth responsible for Ethiopia's poverty, specifically looking at negative influences on economic and social development and unprioritized population policy. It explains the growing awareness of Ethiopians through interviews conducted by the author to Barate Ahmed, Rawda, and Mamiru regarding issues of polygamy and early pregnancy; as well as the stories shared by Baida and Sudare. It also provides an analysis on the following economic and health projects: Economic Development Strategy for Ethiopia and Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia.