Analysis of the more important scientific contributions of the Nineteen-eighties reveals that, contrary to what is affirmed in various quarters, development theory is in an intellectually flourishing state. The subjects of development and the instruments for attaining it are being reconsidered in a serious and rational manner. Through analysis of the theoretical positions of the last decade, the article discusses the main themes and the normative solutions that economic theory offers for overcoming the persisting gap in development between rich and poor countries. The coherence and the positive and normative aspects of theoritical models are analyzed. These range from critisimi of orthodox development theory to the structuralist approach, from the Keynesian heritage to theories of the neo-classical counterrevolution, from evolutions of the Marxist approach to the latest contributions of the "eclectic school". The more recent contributions relating to theories of impertect information and to those of "rationalchoice Marxists" raise the possibility of finding, even if only partially, a solution for the inadequacy of tradditional paradigms concerning 'lailures" of the market and of the State. No attempt is made to offer a "general theory" but instead, through fragmented models, to acquire a broader capacity for interpreting the highly differentiated reality of developing countries.
