He begins by critiquing the belief that the discussions surrounding the causes of “underdevelopment” were overshadowed by the creation of the New International Economic Order (NIEO). According to Rist, “for the first time, the countries of the South – albeit the richest of them – were acting together in a way that could seriously disturb the economy in the North” (p. 142). Just like earlier development efforts, these too were being influenced by political and economic agendas. Rist’s critique demonstrates once again the religious measure of development, that “the ‘religious structure of declarations on ‘development’” stress the current inequities between the North and South (p. 146). However, his articulation of the sovereignty of nation-states allows for the explicit reinforcement of how a contradiction occurs between the global idea that existing inequalities are identified as a root cause of underdevelopment and the inequalities within southern states are beyond discussion. The reference to the widening gaps that exist between the North and South also confirms the continuing reliance on growth models as the basis for development. Basically, Rist argues that the NIEO is just reinforcing the existing world order, while, at the same time, seeking to appease Third World critics and enhance the position of global decision
He begins by critiquing the belief that the discussions surrounding the causes of “underdevelopment” were overshadowed by the creation of the New International Economic Order (NIEO). According to Rist, “for the first time, the countries of the South – albeit the richest of them – were acting together in a way that could seriously disturb the economy in the North” (p. 142). Just like earlier development efforts, these too were being influenced by political and economic agendas. Rist’s critique demonstrates once again the religious measure of development, that “the ‘religious structure of declarations on ‘development’” stress the current inequities between the North and South (p. 146). However, his articulation of the sovereignty of nation-states allows for the explicit reinforcement of how a contradiction occurs between the global idea that existing inequalities are identified as a root cause of underdevelopment and the inequalities within southern states are beyond discussion. The reference to the widening gaps that exist between the North and South also confirms the continuing reliance on growth models as the basis for development. Basically, Rist argues that the NIEO is just reinforcing the existing world order, while, at the same time, seeking to appease Third World critics and enhance the position of global decision