Author: Arthur N and Susan H Holcombe
Publisher:
Published: 2020-12-14
Total Pages: 306
ISBN-13:
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Arthur and Susan Holcombe trace the evolution of their thinking about Third World poverty-reduction strategies from their graduate study of economic and social development at the Uni-versity of Pittsburgh through careers with the United Nations and nongovernmental organiza-tions (TPAF and Oxfam America). They worked and lived in East Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the South Pacific, Sudan, and China. Their work took them to Tibet, Gaza, the Andes, Cambo-dia, and elsewhere.Their college years at Harvard and Mount Holyoke gave them a global perspec-tive. In this memoire they describe the political, economic, social, demographic, and environmental factors influencing poverty and identify key programs focused on human development. They conclude with a consideration of conditions prevailing in countries where they earlier worked. In 1965, experts saw poverty reduction as top-down, with foreign aid chan-neled through government programs. Priority was given to investments in physical and social infrastructure. Over time the philosophy of the "Washington Consen-sus" reigned, giving priority to markets, foreign private investment, exploitation of natural resources, and de-emphasis of social services and the traditional agricul-tural sector, which should have been the starting point for human development. Arthur and Susan saw this foreign influence as counterproductive to sustainable development. In the 1990s, they saw in action the Chinese comprehensive ap-proach to rural development, which produced effective poverty reduction: over 7 million rural families moved out of abject poverty after 1979. This nationally led "China Model" has lessons for other Third World countries. In their lives and careers, Arthur and Susan met with serendipitous opportuni-ties that led to the roads they took. They hope their children and grandchildren will also take roads that can lead to rewarding careers and life experiences.
