Persistent poverty

This book presents an interpretation and analysis of the phenomenon of persistent underdevelopment in the plantation economies of the world. It is concerned with the wel fare of people living in plantation societies-why we are poor and what we can do about it. It seems clear that a virtual revolution is required in order to bring about significant improvements in the welfare of all Third World peoples. This book is offered as a small contribution to that revolution.

The present study is offered to other Third World social scientists as a contribution to the challenge to pursue more rigorously our own independent analyses of the pro blems facing our societies. Too often we view our problems through the eyes of metropolitan man; and our analyses of these problems de pend too inordinately on analytical constructs developed for, and app ropriate to, North Atlantic society but which may be inappropriate for the Third World. Even our pattern of resreach and style of presentation suffer on this account. No apology is necessary for directing the book to a Third World readership. It is true that others may find it helpful, but it is obvious that Third World problems can be solved only by Third World peoples. We alone have the basic understanding of our pro blems and the necessary commit ment to over come them.