Conventional Economic Concepts Challenged Poor Countries Must Develop the Mass Sector

“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.