The White Man's Burden

Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

By: William Easterly

Write A Review

Paperback | 27 September 2007

At a Glance

Paperback
400 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
23.5 x 15.5 x 2.5

Paperback

$41.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $10.44 with

Ships in 10 to 15 business days

We are all aware of the extreme hunger and poverty that afflict the world''s poor. We hear the facts, see the images on television, buy the T-shirt and are moved as individuals and governments to dig deep into our pockets. Yet what happens to all this aid? Why after 50 years and $2.3 trillion are there still children dying for lack of twelve cents medicine? Why are there so many people still living on less than $1 a day without clean water, food, sanitation, shelter, education or medicine?In The White Man''s Burden William Easterly, acclaimed author and former economist at the World Bank, addresses these twin tragedies head on. While recognising the energy and compassion behind the campaign to make poverty history he argues urgently and powerfully that grand plans and good intentions are a part of the problem not the solution. Giving aid is not enough, we must ensure that it reaches the people who need it most and the only way to make this happens is through accountability and by learning from past experiences. Without claiming to have all the answers, William Easterly chastises the complacent and patronising attitude of the West that attempts to impose solutions from above. In this book, which is by turns angry, moving, irreverent but always rigorous, he calls on each and everyone of us to take responsibility, whether donors, aid workers or ordinary citizens, so that more aid reaches the people it is supposed to help, the mother who cannot feed her children, the little girl who has to collect firewood rather than go to school, the father who cannot work because he has been crippled by war.

Industry Reviews

Included as a Book of the Year 2006 in the Economist, the Financial Times, and the Washington Post `"The White Man's Burden," like "The Elusive Quest for Growth," is an important book. Easterly asks the right questions, combining compassion with clear-eyed empiricism. Bono and his devotees should heed what he has to say.' Virginia Postrel, The New York Times Book Review `There is much of merit in Easterly's perceptive vision about initiatives, incentives, and communication. We should be grateful to Easterly for the wealth of material he has presented, thereby enriching the development literature.' Amartya Sen, Foreign Affairs `The White Man's Burden is disturbing but essential reading for would-be Samaritans -- and a powerful call for reform.' Business Week `His timely critique of development aid... provides no easy answers, which is [its] great virtue.' Salil Tripathi, The Independent `A comprehensive exploration.' Edmund Conway, Daily Telegraph

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.