In the past decade furthermore, the southern half of the globe has become less important to the northern half. If the poorest continents dropped off the map, it is not certain that everyone in the rich countries would notice. Latin America now represents a mere 4.1 per cent of the value of world trade; Africa 2.4 per cent (with South Africa responsible for a fifth of that). Any two of the four Asian ‘dragons’ (Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong) account for a higher proportion of world trade value than all the countries of Africa taken together. Except for these dragons and a few apprentice dragons, the major industrial countries no longer look much to the Third World as a trading partner or a source of cheap labour - they’ve found an alternative. Though splendid developments in themselves, glasnost and perestroika in the USSR and Eastern Europe may have unforeseen consequences as the State socialist countries move closer to the parliamentary democracies. And yet, in the year 2000, the Third World, broadly defined, will contain nearly 90 per cent of humanity - much of it poor, hungry and young. There are two aspects of the situation to which he might have devoted more space, had it been available, and that the reader should bear in mind: physiological control of human fertility; and the eco logical vulnerability of many areas into which he would encourage emigration. This comprehensive book deals with the problem of international tensions arising from demographic and fertility differences.

Kumarajiva Desai is a respected rural sociologist and development researcher specializing in food security and sustainable development. His scholarly inquiries into agrarian issues, rural livelihoods, and environmental sustainability contribute to policy discussions and initiatives addressing hunger and land use. Desai's interdisciplinary approach and advocacy for sustainable development highlight his commitment to social and environmental justice.