Poverty Amidst Plenty

Edward Weisband's pioneering text is destined to transform the current teaching of world political economy at both the introductory and the advanced level. Outlining the moral principles and ethical concepts fundamental to grasping the human significance of poverty, he clearly reveals what is often hinted at but rarely stated–that the political dimensions of poverty and distributive justice constitute the organizing framework of the study of world political economy. Against a backdrop of readings, Professor Weisband's insightful, interpretative essays generate an interdisciplinary discussion, a synthesis of theoretical perspectives and value orientations, providing students with a critical comprehension of the complex workings of the world economy. The essays link basic approaches to world politics and international relations, international law and organization, international sociology, development studies, and moral philosophy to give texture to such basic theories as modes of production, dependency, world systems, unequal exchange, the labor theory of value, free-trade liberalism, neomercantilism, Marxism, and neo-Marxism. Alternative value orientations are also explored, including realist and neo-realist, conservative and liberal, egalitarian and cosmopolitan, radical and materialist. Poverty Amidst Plenty combines theory and analysis with historical and normative perspectives to offer students a relevant, prescriptive, and most of all, human picture of the far-reaching system that governs much of our lives.

This thoughtful and challenging book affords an alternative vision of India's rise in the world.

When in 2002/03 Ethiopia was ushered into the twenty-first century by the threat of famine of unprecedented proportion, it stirred a deeply felt reaction to call on policy-makers and ordinary citizens to raise arms against a scourge which has afflicted their country throughout its long history. The announcement of the threat of famine amounted to a virtual acknowledgement that the country?s past national development goal has been little more than a pipe dream. For, no claim of development can be made in the face of the prospect of mass starvation. It is proposed that a new start is needed in Ethiopia in the pursuit of the goal of lasting food security and the prevention of recurrent famine, one which can at times put to question the conventional development wisdom, and calls for a commitment to certain key principles which can help prevent the repetition of past failures while at the same time providing the foundation for future progress. It is argued that lasting food security can only be achieved by means of an interactive development process involving the sustainable development of agriculture and an increasingly diversified national economy. In concluding, the main questions which may likely concern many people are addressed directly. Wherefrom are the investment resources to be obtained, and where the capacities are to be summoned to promote the scale and tempo of the development envisaged? Examples are offered of the types of measures which could be considered in response to the future development challenges. Ultimately, both the ends of development and the means by which they might be attained must derive impetus from the cravings and drive for accomplishment of ordinary people acting individually or collectively in the pursuit of their common interests. The primary instrument for unleashing this potential belongs to the political realm.

India has one of the fastest growing economies on earth. Over the past three decades, socialism has been replaced by pro-business policies as the way forward. And yet, in this 'new' India, grinding poverty is still a feature of everyday life. Some 450 million people subsist on less than $1.25 per day and nearly half of India's children are malnourished. In his latest book, Atul Kohli, a seasoned scholar of Indian politics and economics, blames this discrepancy on the narrow nature of the ruling alliance in India that, in its new-found relationship with business, has prioritized economic growth above all other social and political considerations. This thoughtful and challenging book affords an alternative vision of India's rise in the world that its democratic rulers will be forced to come to grips with in the years ahead.