The Sociology of Post-Colonial Societies
Economic Disparity, Cultural Diversity and Development

An analysis of the disparity between rich and poor countries, and a discussion of the problems of the poor countries.

J. E. Goldthorpe (Author)

9780521578004, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 August 1996

292 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.428 kg

"...a classic tribute to a noted scholar whose work spans half a century." Paul S. Gray, International Journal of African Historical Studies

This is the completely revised and updated version of the immensely successful Sociology of the Third World. The book is about the division of the world into rich and poor countries, and the disparities between rich and poor people, especially in poor countries. Chapters on world population trends, colonialism and questions of race set the historical scene for a detailed analysis of economic conditions and living standards in poor countries. New material on droughts, famines, family change and environmental concerns are fully discussed, along with questions about limits to growth and sustainable development. Theoretical perspectives on development and underdevelopment are reviewed. Later chapters summarize the findings of the different social sciences on fundamental issues of modernisation, including expansion, cultural diversity, religious movements, post-colonial politics, and issues involving aid. This new edition contains updated statistics, and discusses the general shift of emphasis away from industrial policies towards basic needs reflected by the United Nations Development Programme.

1. Introduction and argument
2. Technology, society and population
3. The colonial episode and the race question
4. Economic conditions
5. Environmental concerns
6. The social sciences and the 'Third World'
7. The rise of towns
8. Family life in a changing world
9. Cultural diversity, language, education, and communications
10. Religion and development
11. Individual modernization: some psychological studies
12. Politics in post-colonial states
13. Aid and development.

Subject Areas: Sociology & anthropology [JH]