Struggle for change : international economic relations

A veteran crusader in the struggle for change in international economic relations, K.B. Lall portrays its uneven course, its high and low points, its achievements and shortcomings. He recalls Nehru's seminal contribution to the theory and practice of international cooperation and brings into bold relief the dynamics of the nexus between national progress and global environment. He edits some of his speeches to share with the reader the thrill of reaching a consensus on partnership in development and the poignance of failure on the part of the international community to turn it into a reality. He castigates affluent nations for missing favourable opportunities to help the movement towards a new world order. He urges the poor nations hit by the current disarray to promote equity within their national systems and exhorts the developing countries to intensify mutual relations and enhance investment in resource development. They would thus strengthen their claim to equity at the international level and serve as an effective instrument to revive economic growth in industrial countries. He expects these measures to help revitalise international cooperation and induce developing and developed countries to resume their joint efforts to further mutual welfare. To this end he calls upon all those who favour change to assist in reconciling the divergencies amongst interested groups, thus paving the way towards a more responsive, a more equitable, structure of international relations. Looking Into the Nineteen Eighties, he observes:

"The problems are not merely cyclical. Structural transformation can help. An ethical dimension may have to be added to economic prescriptions at the national level.... A new equilibrium between work, welfare and waste is called for." He proceeds to ask: "How can the social forces be guided towards it? Would a global setting make it easier to strive for it? Who will give the lead?... Can the age-old nemesis of power ending in a catastrophe be broken? Could adaptation through negotiation rather than war become an instrument for transition to a new order. Would the international community have the wisdom and capacity to respond creatively to the forces of change?" And finally suggests: "India owes it to itself to press its experience, skills, and resources in the service of courageous initiatives to carry Nehru's legacy forward into the eighties,"