Showing papers on "Underdevelopment published in 1969"

The Modernizer as a Special Case: Japanese Factory Legislation, 1882–1911

Abstract: The ‘modernizer’ is a special species of the genus ‘innovator’ and one which only in the last century has appeared in large numbers on the human scene. There have, to be sure, been groups and individuals at many moments in world history who would qualify under the definition of the modernizer which I propose to use: ‘one who seeks the transformation of his own society or segments of it in imitation of models drawn from another country or countries’. Those Japanese court officials of the seventh century who tried to remould their country on the model of T'ang China are a case in point, and one could probably find many examples on the fringes of the great empires of the past. But it is only in the last century of Western colonialism and rapid technological change that this has become a world-wide phenomenon. It is also only in the last century that the doctrine of human progress has achieved such implicit world-wide acceptance that the imitated models have been seen not simply as ‘superior’ but also as ‘more advanced’—further ahead, that is, in some imputed scale of linear progressive development. The consciousness of backwardness, the concept of underdevelopment, are relatively new.

The Economics of Resentment: Colonialism and Underdevelopment:

Abstract: I intend to examine certain widely held and influential ideas on the relationship between colonial status and material progress, in particular on the supposed responsibility of colonialism for the material poverty of the underdeveloped world. (This idea itself is one aspect or instance of the more general notion of the alleged responsibility of the rich countries for the material backwardness of the poor countries. And this notion in turn is an example of economic or environmental determinism, the idea that external forces are largely responsible for the poverty of persons and groups.) Over the last few decades, especially since the first world war, and to an even greater extent since the second, statements and suggestions have abounded in publications, both in underdeveloped countries and in the West, asserting that the masses in underdeveloped countries are greatly concerned with their poverty, and alleging also that both in these countries and in the West it is widely recognized that the West has caused the poverty of the underdeveloped world. It is in fact very doubtful how widespread these sentiments are in poor countries. Some familiarity with many of these countries suggests to me that the great majority of people know little about such matters, do not compare their lot with that of the population of distant countries, and do not ascribe any of their problems to present or past actions of western countries. The great majority are concerned with their own daily lives; in Africa and Asia at any

Student Rebellion: Vision of the Future or Echo from the Past?

Abstract: In order to limit my subject and to concentrate on the most interesting or familiar cases, I shall not discuss Latin-American universities, for two reasons. These universities have known student unrest for a long time, and have granted their students a role in the administration-a right which is demanded by some protesters and which is spreading throughout the West. Secondly, the relative underdevelopment, the influence of the United States, the example of Cuba, and the mediocrity and authoritarianisrrt of a great many established regimes suggest probable interpretations. Similarly, African universities give their students a Western education, separate them from their milieu, teach them criticism and the critical spirit. How could the students fail to perceive the gap between the society they live in and the society whose ideal plan has been taught them through the culture they have received? How could they fail to revolt when the best jobs, those in government bureaucracy, are held by the preceding generation, and when economic progress offers graduates, most of them nonscientific, no chance of promotion in the private sector? I shall therefore limit myself to student revolts in the indus-

The Crisis and Drama of the Global Partnership

Abstract: In a way, the most interesting thing about these books1 is their titles. Unfortunately their content is disappointing for the authors do not really identify and analyse the present "crisis" and "drama" of underdevelopment or the true relationship underlying today's "global partnership." While many interesting points are made, these works are on the whole misguided or mediocre and for this reason the non-specialist need not read them. But he should still pause to ask why these particular writers have chosen to write about this topic at this time, and, in this way. One's attitude towards these books should be a little like one's attitude towards the Pearson Commission appointed by the World Bank to examine foreign aid and development over the last twenty years on a budget of a few hundred thousand dollars and with about a year in which to conduct research. No one, and especially not L. B. Pearson, really believes that a former prime minister of Canada would know much about the problem of the two-thirds of mankind (the majority under the age of twenty-five) who live in degrading poverty that in an age of Sputnik and Apollo is not merely tragic but, as Frantz Fanon put it, absurd. Nor does McNamara come to his job with particularly good credentials. But these men have been trained to recognize a problem when it becomes important enough and their message is clear: things are not going well and a new strategy must be worked out to replace the one that has crumbled. The intelligent reader will take their concern as a sign that events must be moving rapidly. None the less, he will not rely on the mystifications of the authors under discussion for an answer to the problem. In McLuhanite terms, they are telling us something about the old environment, not about the current one. Or, as Brecht put it, "when our leaders speak of peace they are already preparing for war."

Brazil's Northeast: Sugar and Surplus Value

Abstract: An introduction to economics, for most North American students, comes in the form of a textbook and a series of lectures presenting the "neo-classical/Keynesian synthesis," but my introduction to economics was in the cane fields of Pernambuco, where, as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I worked with an emerging rural labor union. Shocked by the specter of malnutrition in a fertile land and hoping to find a solution, or at least to understand the cause, I took up the study of agricultural economics at a North American university. But it was not what was taught in the classes which helped me to draw together the many things which I had observed; rather it was Andre Gunder Frank's Capitalism and Underdevelopment in Latin America which led me to the threads which unified my observations. Had I read Frank's book before living in Brazil, I am certain that I would have regarded it as unrealistic and dogmatic, but everything which I saw supported Frank's analysis.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.

Hunger help and hypocrisy: crisis and response to crisis in Africa.

Abstract: Though partly due to environmental factors Africas social and political realities are mostly to blame for famine and its devastating consequences. On an average year 100 million Africans experience hunger. During 1984-85 Ethiopia alone witnessed the death of 1 million people due to starvation. While natural disasters such as typhoons floods and cyclical droughts have triggered famines these occur in countries already plagued by other difficulties. Some blame Africas high rate of population growth as the cause of food shortages; though such a claim is debatable population growth has led to land shortages. But more importantly Africas colonial past (as well as some present policies) has relegated the continent to underdevelopment. The arbitrary boundaries raised by the colonial powers have led to wars among states and to civil war among different ethnic groups. For the most part African countries still adhere to the cash crop systems established by the colonial powers instead of growing staple foods. Though no single solution to the famine problem exists several measures can be taken. Population growth rates must be curbed through birth control practices. Government measures must be directed towards rural development which would include giving farmers incentives to increase food production providing health care education and other basic needs. In order to break down the colonial pattern of export intra- African trade must be developed; such a move will entail creating a continental infrastructure. Furthermore African countries must resolve their political differences.

Industrial Location Policy and the Problems of Sparsely Populated Areas in Sweden

Abstract: The concept of underdevelopment is largely relative. The degree of development, economic or cultural, in any one area should always be seen in relation to the level of development in other areas of the same country. Thus an area may appear to be highly developed in relation to one area, but in comparison with another it may seem underdeveloped.

The Underdevelopment Policy of the United Nations in Latin America

Abstract: It is generally believed that our continent receives real financial aid. The data show the opposite. We can affirm that Latin America is making a contribution to financing the development of the United States and of other industrialized countries. Private investment has meant and does mean for Latin America that the sums taken out of our continent are several times higher than those that are invested. Our potential capital declines. The benefits of invested capital grow and multiply themselves enormously, though not in our countries but abroad. The so-called aid, with all its well known conditions, means markets and greater development for the developed countries, but has not in fact managed to compensate for the money that leaves Latin America in payment of the external debt and as a result of the profits generated by direct private investment. In one word, we know that Latin America gives more than it receives. On these realities, it is not possible to base any solidarity or even any stable or p...

AIDS epidemic: can the African countries be optimistic? [letter]

Abstract: Although Sub-Saharan Africa contains less than 10% of the worlds population 60% of cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are concentrated in this region. Moreover despite the potential of HIV to kill 20% of African adults most African governments are unable to allot even 1% of their gross national product to health care. Lacking has been a societal commitment and recognition of global health interdependence on the part of developed countries. HIV threatens to undermine the best efforts of international donor organizations and African governments to address underdevelopment reverse environmental destruction and extend human rights to all levels of African society. As increasing numbers of young African women become infected with the virus agricultural productivity will be jeopardized. Also at risk is the educated economic elite counted upon to spearhead development in Africa. The relative affluence of this sector and practice of polygamy has produced a life-style characterized by a high level of sexual activity with multiple partners. Even if a vaccine is developed there is little reason to believe it will become widely available in Africa. Given this situation priority should be given to prevention especially activities aimed at prostitutes in developing countries who are major carriers of HIV.