ABSTRACT
Poorer states are often described as victims of forces beyond their control. The structure of the international economic system is perceived as being systematically biased against them. Terms of trade are declining, export earnings erratic, capital flows pernicious, and tariff structures discriminatory. This attitude, shared by both political leaders and intellectuals, has its advantages. For radicals it emphasizes the necessity of revolution. The present structure is so perverse that there is no possibility of reform. For political leaders in developing states it offers an explanation for failures that relieves them of responsibility. Castigating the industrial states at international conferences is easier than changing domestic policies.
