The New Economics Of The Less Developed Countries: Changing Perceptions In The Northsouth Dialogue

After a quarter-century of experimentation with economic development in the poorer countries, the disarray, and in some cases the calamitous results, are so obvious that a fresh look at and reexamination of traditional assumptions, methodologies, theories, and policies is needed. The contributors to this volume explore―with supporting theoretical frameworks and emipirical evidence―the new perceptions concerning the development of the poor countries, providing clear and sophisticated treatments of North-South bargaining, commodity power, indexation, the theory of power and the international distribution of rights and resources, and the effectiveness of international organizations as vehicles for conflict resolution. The authors discuss the position and prospects of the non-oil-producing, less developed countries, focusing on measurements of the quality of life in these countries, growth and income distribution policies, and the effectiveness of public expenditures to enhance social welfare.

Nake M. Kamrany is professor of economics and director of the Program in Productivity and Technology at the University of Southern California. He has held faculty and research positions with M.I.T., Stanford Research Institute, the World Bank, and U.C.L.A., and has conducted research on the economic development and technology of twenty countries.