ABSTRACT
The majority of the most populous developing nations lie to the north of the Equator – in fact 85 per cent of the world’s inhabitants live north of the Equator. The distribution of wealth and resources produces statistics which trouble the consciences of thinking people both North and South. Taxpayers in the North are beginning to realise that many of their governments’ policies are actually blocking development in the South. Northern-dominated organisations, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, have encouraged Southern agricultural nations to grow ‘cash crops’ or ‘export crops’ in order to earn hard currency. Galbraith said the development of farming puts schools in the countryside, builds systems of rural transport and encourages the rational and equitable use of land. It also produces a rural population which is able to buy the goods produced by new industry. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
