Conventional Economic Concepts Challenged Poor Countries Must Develop the Mass Sector

In: The Pakistan development review: PDR, Band 13, Heft 1, S. 88-93

Abstract

"Development Reconsidered" [6] is not just another addition to
the numerous books already published on aid and development over the
past two decades. It is something else. The authors try to develop a
different approach to the whole process of social change. They do this
by critically examining some of the myths and fictions attached to
conventional economic concepts. In doing this they either draw heavily
on their own personal observations or if that is not sufficient, they
try to dig out relevant findings from the writings of other scholars.
The book is divided into nine chapters. The subjects treated include,
development reconsidered, efficient use of manpower, modernising
agriculture and industry, and the significance of nonformal education.
There is also one full chapter devoted to the role of the United States
in the development of the Third World. The main thesis of the book as I
understand is "Hitherto development has promoted a dualistic economic
pattern in which only the privileged few have fattened themselves and
the rest continue to suffer", This "oasis in the desert" development
pattern as the authors call it is not development inducing, but
development retarding.