Hann and Hart Unequal Development

This chapter of Economic Anthropology discusses the issue of unequal development, and the difficulty developing nations possess of climbing out of their position.In the beginning of the chapter, the term development is described as richer countries helping poorer countries get richer. This is a nice sentiment, however, Hann and Hart quickly dismantle this notion by first explaining the history of colonialism in areas such as Africa, as well as the rise of capitalism. A more serious reality about the current situation can be found in the conclusion were they mention how the poor are unable to become the rich as there is simply not enough to go around. This idea would more likely support the notion that current efforts by developed nations to facilitate growth in developing nations is largely ineffective and rather the emphasis is more to maintain the status quo of inequality.

The case example of Africa illustrates how colonialism first worked to weaken and disenfranchise nearly an entire continent, but then globalized capitalism worked to keep those countries in their place. One of the mechanisms mentioned was an insistence on paying back debts to developed countries which prevents developing from accruing any of their own wealth to grow and build on.

For discussion, I would like to ask if it seems the efforts being made by developed countries seem to be genuine? What reasons may there then be for the problems with growth in those areas?Could it be possible for poorer countries to join the richer countries level of economic stability, or like Hann and Hart suggest, is there just not enough to go around?