Throughout his book History of Development, Gilbert Rist takes the reader on a journey through development trends, models and theories ranging from Aristotle to the Millennium Development Goals. Although his interests align more with deconstructing the ideas, practices, and dialogue of ‘development’ than attempting an unbiased overview of its history, he sets himself the objective "not to add one more theory to all others formulated so far but, rather, to scrutinize the aura of self-evidence surrounding a concept which is supposed to command universal acceptance but which – as many have doubtless forgotten – was constructed within a particular history and culture" (p. 1-2). Though he is not completely successful in restraining himself in the
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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