Promises Not Kept: Poverty and The Betrayal of Third World Development [Paperback]

John Isbister (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2006 | ISBN-10: 1565492161 | ISBN-13: 978-1565492165 | Edition: Seventh Edition

* Updates include discussion of major initiatives such as the Millennial Development Goals, (MDG) to eliminate global poverty
* Examines changes in international politics and approaches to global terrorism following the US-led military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq
* Extensively revised facts and figures

The seventh edition of this perennial stalwart of the Kumarian Press list continues the discussion of the “new American hegemony” and the “war on terror” that began with the previous edition. In particular, Isbister addresses changes in international politics and the impact on the global order of the US-led military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The author also focuses on major initiatives, such as the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, to confront the issue of world poverty. As with all editions of this vibrant text, Isbister writes with clarity and passion, not only about failed promises, but about hope, human potential, and the belief that a just and equitable world system is attainable.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A penetrating account of why most people on the planet are poor and what we can do about it." -- Peter Mann, WHY Magazine

"Highly recommended for general as well as academic readers." -- Choice Magazine --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

Unique features:
-Extremely readable, broad historical survey of Third World issues, written by an author committed to social justice
-Clear exposition of different theories of underdevelopment
-Data and analysis completely updated

For the benefit of professors who have been using the fifth edition of Promises Not Kept here are the main changes you will find in the sixth edition:

General revisions

Facts and figures have been updated throughout the book
Each chapter now concludes with a short list of suggested further readings
The pagination is revised throughout the book, though chapter numbers and titles remain unchanged, except for chapter eight, renamed "The Future: Justice in an Age of Globalization"

Other main changes, chapter by chapter

Chapter Five
Updated information on nationalist movements, including a new section on Islamic fundamentalism

Chapter Seven
Comprehensively revised and updated information on foreign policy, particularly dealing with the war on terrorism

Chapter Eight
Comprehensively revised and updated, to deal more fully with the phenomenon of globalization --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Kumarian Press; Seventh Edition edition (June 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565492161
• ISBN-13: 978-1565492165
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #251,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This is a case where newer is not necessarily better., September 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Promises Not Kept: The Betrayal of Social Change in the Third World (Paperback)

Much of the clarity and conciseness that marked the 3rd edition of this work as an excellent introduction to the study of underdevelopment has been lost in the 4th edition. I have used the 3rd edition several times in the past two years as a primary text for a college-level course dealing with Third World culture and politics. This semester, I moved perforce to the 4th edition and have noted that my students (most of whom are having their first exposure to international political economy and who are neither political science nor economics majors) are having far more difficulty in comprehending the theoretical bases for explaining underdevelopment than they have had in the past. In short, the 4th edition is a step backwards and is somewhat disappointing. In my opinion, the 4th edition of this work has replaced an excellent resource with merely a good one.

2 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Alright for the information..., February 18, 2007

By 

Larry "rapture, it's!" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Promises Not Kept: Poverty and The Betrayal of Third World Development (Paperback)

but it's just that. So if you're in the market for anything else, look.. well elsewhere. This book just gives a sometimes one-sided view on current politics surrounding captalism, poverty, etc. Interesting only for research purposes.