Review by Choice Review
Fascinating for its commission and omissions, this book argues that the myth of imminent development should be abandoned and replaced by strategies for survival of failing developing countries. Rivero contends that the failure to develop is due to depredation by developed countries through colonialism, imperialism, and "transnations" that have grown so powerful as to render nation-states economically unviable. Conditions have been exacerbated by the World Bank, the IMF, the WTO, and most recently by globalization in the name of liberal capitalism; and also by the developing countries themselves through war, internal conflict, and wasted expenditure on arms. To help these countries survive, Rivero proposes UN assistance to bring about peace, the creation of an intensive economic care service, and the abolishment of foreign debts. For their part, these countries must control population growth and adopt modern technology. Rivero's narrative is anecdotally and effectively illustrated, but he does not question the failure of developing countries to fight back against foreign and internal plundering. He also fails to explain why policies to control population and promote education and rational policy making over half a century have been in vain. Nevertheless, this provocative and well-written book may stimulate discussion and promote sound survival and development policies. General readers; lower-division undergraduate through professional audiences. E. H. Tuma emeritus, University of California, Davis
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
