Socialisms and development

It is now generally accepted that the success of capitalism has been achieved at the expense of the Third World. In an attempt to gain economic independence in a way that does not exploit the poorer members of their communities, the nations of the Third World are now looking to socialism: the question now is, can socialism put an end to underdevelopment?René Dumont, whose FALSE START IN AFRICA has come to be regarded as a sort of Bible for developing countries, starts his investigation of this question from the premise that there are several kinds of socialism, each needing to free itself from dogma imposed from outside. He believes that given the right circumstances and attitudes socialism can work for the benefit of the people, and in this book he illustrates his thesis by examining various methods already underway, comparing their success and explaining their failure. China, North Vietnam and Cuba are, in his view, limiting their own progress by following a system which claims infallibility. Zambia and Tanzania practice a form of socialism suited to their environment, which is consequently more successful; while Egypt, India and Mexico are hampered by governmental corruption and a disregard for human values. This book well illustrates the point that although capitalism may be successful in financial terms, it cannot offer hope of participation to the people in general: this can be done through socialism, but, as Dumont makes clear, only if the types of socialism practised can diversify and adapt. The needs of the country must be put before the ideological dogma.The difficulties facing Algeria in its struggle to establish a socialist society on breaking away from colonial capitalism, are dealt with in a chapter contributed by Marcel Mazoyer.