This book is a comprehensive examination of the prospects for democratization in the developing world. The contributors all share the assumption that democratization cannot occur in the absence of widespread socioeconomic well-being, in terms of human rights, the distribution of resources and population, and the environment. They offer to a detailed analysis of Third World politics by seeking to clarify certain myths and to assess the prospects for Third World development.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Current trends and new directions in Third World research: people- centred development - alternative for a Third World crisis. Part 2 Towards a reconceptualization of development and democracy; democracy and development - luxury or necessity?. Part 3 Human rights and the ethical basis of development; theology and economy - the theological paradigm of communicative action and the paradigm of the community of life as a theology of liberation; the human rights cause - how we can help. Part 4 Population growth and the environmental imperative: population growth and government policy in the developing world - lessons from Asia. Part 5 Distributive justice and equity - lessons from Asia, Africa and Latin America; land tenure and economic efficiency. Part 6 Corporate and professional responsibility in Third World development; business social policy in the Third World - response of multinational corporate management. Part 7 Conclusion - future prospects and promises.