Trends in World Social Development

Trends in World Social Development explores the dynamics and long-term consequences of the widening gap between the world's rich and poor nations. Building on his prior work, The Social Progress of Nations, this new volume reports both statistical and field observational data pertinent to the international, social, and political events of the 1980s through 1986. Highlights of this up-dated work include: a refined Index of Social Progress containing new indicators; detailed data on patterns of national and regional development; an analysis of trends in social development in 124 nations; and an examination of the People's Republic of China.

?More than two decades ago, Barbara Ward posed some serious questions, in her book The Rich Nations and the Poor Nations (1962), about social development and the inequities that exist among countries. Estes's study is a more recent attempt to seriously explore, understand, and offer solutions to the consequences of this widening gap between the world's rich and poor nations, based on trends in 124 nations including the People's Republic of China. The author examines the threats to social development posed by conditions such as war, militarism, famine and malnutrition, uncontrolled population growth, debt crisis, the AIDS epidemic, and the neglect of the role of women in development. According to Estes, effective solutions will require a planned social policy on the part of the world community rather than short-term measures used by many nations. The book offers detailed data on the patterns of national and regional development and uses an Index of Social Progress based upon 36 social indicators. Estes describes the advantages and limitations in his methodology, as well as operational definitions and assumptions. An important work of interest to development specialists, policymakers, researchers, and international organizations involved in the social development. Upper-division undergraduates and above.?-Choice, "More than two decades ago, Barbara Ward posed some serious questions, in her book The Rich Nations and the Poor Nations (1962), about social development and the inequities that exist among countries. Estes's study is a more recent attempt to seriously explore, understand, and offer solutions to the consequences of this widening gap between the world's rich and poor nations, based on trends in 124 nations including the People's Republic of China. The author examines the threats to social development posed by conditions such as war, militarism, famine and malnutrition, uncontrolled population growth, debt crisis, the AIDS epidemic, and the neglect of the role of women in development. According to Estes, effective solutions will require a planned social policy on the part of the world community rather than short-term measures used by many nations. The book offers detailed data on the patterns of national and regional development and uses an Index of Social Progress based upon 36 social indicators. Estes describes the advantages and limitations in his methodology, as well as operational definitions and assumptions. An important work of interest to development specialists, policymakers, researchers, and international organizations involved in the social development. Upper-division undergraduates and above."-Choice

RICHARD J. ESTES is Professor of Social Work and Director of Doctoral Education at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.