The Changing Political Economy of the Third World

The tulmultuous events of the late 1980s and the early 1990s have significantly altered economic and political power structures worldwide, though perhaps most profoundly in the developing nations. This book presents an historical and theoretical appraisal of the new realities facing the Third World, introducing students to a uniquely Third World perspective that shows not only how the ""governments"", but more importantly the ""people"" of the Third World are affected by recent international events. Through case studies of regional political economies and discussions of such pertinent issues as foreign aid, environmental policy, and the condition of women, the authors provide a lucid portrayal of the increasing complexity and polarisation that has engulfed the Third World. Analysing the disparities among countries in terms of strategies of growth and development, the role of the state and its policies, and the nuances of the democratisation process, they offer new insights into the changing character of Third World political economies.