From Poverty To Power: How Active Citizens And Effective States Can Change The World;
By Duncan Green; Academic Foundation;
Pages: 522; Price: Rs 995
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Over the years, my definition of development has been refined and I have realised it can mean different things. The core of it though means it should be able to resolve all conflicts. Authors such as Duncan Green are the change agents that explain the vast expanse the word covers and what it could mean. In Poverty To Power, Green reminds a student of political economy that development is the interplay among individuals, families, communities and states to open paths to rights, security and prosperity, and that it can condemn communities to vulnerability and poverty. Through this definition, the book looks at how citizens have organised themselves and influenced policies to get rid of inequities that discriminate their existence.
Take the case of the Chiquitano tribe of Bolivia who, for over 500 years, were controlled by a White minority population. They lived in feudal conditions till about 20 years ago and were not even entitled to own land. But by organising a larger group of indigenous people and a struggle that lasted over a decade, they have rights to the land. They have also influenced the government to include rights for the indigenous people in the new constitution.
However, new challenges have emerged: to maintain the indigenous territory, and to prepare a new generation of men and women who would continue their struggle. The book is laced with many examples of how citizen activism can change things. Like any Oxfam publication, the book stays true to its roots of activism and always preaches with facts and figures. In the chapter on religion, the author states that public attention focuses a lot on conflict between different religions. He says public opinion never seems to pin-point what is common to all faiths; and that the commonality among religions which is social cohesion for true development, which could be used to change the fate of a conflict-ridden world. If you travel to villages in Andhra Pradesh, you will find several microfinance organisations supporting a confluence of such activity where women groups, local organisations and religion work towards bettering rural lives.
 Duncan Green is head of research at Oxfam GB, a development and relief organisation. He was previously a senior policy adviser on trade and development at the UK government’s Department for International Development and a policy analyst on trade and globalisation at CAFOD, the Catholic aid agency for England and Wales. He has written widely on economics and Latin America. |
Perhaps the most important aspect of this book is the chapter on what has been achieved by the world and where it has failed, especially on the development of an effective microbicide against HIV. It is well known that pharma companies have stretched their resources on research that would cater to rich countries. The author writes about the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that is funding R&D for neglected diseases. However, he says that for every good thing, the system is making sure the global governance of knowledge is biased against the poor in poor countries. Green also delves into women’s rights: the case of Muslim women in Morocco campaigning to choose on their own and not be compelled by misinterpreted religious texts is testimony to the success of how associating with a reform group changes the relationship between repression and freedom.
The book also throws in its share of academic questions as to why the IMF and the World Bank — although neither the hardliners they were 30 years ago — are still finding it difficult to implement community-based funding. Green explains that aid often goes to countries where rich countries could have access to business. He is particularly hard on the World Bank’s demands on debt repayments which, he says, usually make governments cut public spending and, hence, affect the poor. The arguments sound convincing, but Green forgets the corruption index in poor countries. Yes, the world is full of profiteers exploiting people at the lowest strata of society, and this has happened through the ages. When will it change?
The difficult part is which issues does the government address first. From HIV/AIDs to land rights, each area of human activity has groups lobbying for something. Here, the book questions the fundamental role of the state and business. Can these two elements of a free world work together to address all problems brought forth by citizen groups. Then when we address all of humanity, we have climate change to deal with. In all, the book turns out to be informative, but does not have a core argument. It states facts, and can be used for a thesis in college. It certainly answers what development means, even if it does leave us thinking “it is a mixed-up, shook-up world”.
This review was published in the Businessworld Issue Dated 23-29 June 2009
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