Integration, Development, and Aid to Poor Countries

After World War II, anti-colonial struggles intensified, with many European colonies gaining independence. Ralph Bunche and Gunnar Myrdal played significant roles in advocating for decolonization and analyzing the underdevelopment of former colonies. Myrdal’s work emphasized the importance of institutional analysis in understanding and addressing the causes of poverty in these countries. Myrdal’s lectures and books on development highlighted the need for economic integration and equal opportunities, arguing that such integration was essential for both national and international progress. He warned of the risks posed by the growing disparity between wealthy and poor nations and advocated for comprehensive national plans for development in underdeveloped countries. Myrdal’s work faced criticism from liberal economists but inspired new research on path-dependent development. Myrdal influenced Swedish aid policies, advocating for increased international aid and the establishment of new aid organizations. His interdisciplinary approach and advocacy for international solutions shaped much of the debate on development aid and policies in the mid-twentieth century.