Rist attempts to explain the historical process of development by analyzing its political, economic, and social dimensions over time. However, his writing style jumps between topics in a disorganized manner that makes the overall argument difficult to follow. He criticizes powerful countries for unfairly dominating weaker ones but also acknowledges that colonization benefited both colonizers and colonized societies to some degree. Rist argues that the development process shifted power towards developing countries in the mid-20th century. Globalization further challenged the international economic order and created new problems that require cooperation across nations. Overall, Rist provides a wide range of perspectives on development but lacks a clear thesis and structure to his analysis.

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Course: Law Reform in Transition Economies
Instructor: Professor J. Eddy
Student: Rustam Begaliev
Spring 2013
“The History of Development”
Author: Gilbert Rist
The History of Development
In The History of development, Gilbert Rist tries to explain, to describe, and to convey to the reader the
basic components of the historical process of development. His work refers to the historical, social, and political
stages that contribute to the overall formation as well as the advancement of society. He is emotional in particular
about selected points of historical and political activities which have had, based on his opinion, not only a positive
influence but also an overarching element of natural truth and significance. His arguments in respect to political
hegemony are saturated with subjective descriptions of the political and economical processes of formation rather
than a coherent evaluation outlining the current threshold of obstacles in regards to political and economical
regime. His book is difficult to grasp at first glance because it lacks the familiar structure of conveying
information to the reader. Often times, the reader is left to reorganize the mass of information provided by Rist
into clear and concise under lying ideas. At times, the author makes sporadic jumps from one topic to another
without any logically cohesive transition; doing so, distracts the reader from procuring a better understanding of
what Rist is trying to establish in a systematic manner. However, later, the reader begins to conform to the unique,
albeit initially unfamiliar, and slightly emotional way of conveying a natural truth.
Despite what Rist establishes early on in his book with the historical foundations of the developmental
process via vivid images in conjunction with spiritual and religious dimensions, Rist then begins to specifically
focus on the mid-20th century. A closer analysis of Rist’s rhetorical strategy, in terms of providing information to
the reader, consists of strong criticisms towards the hierarchy of societies. He criticizes the strong and developed
countries in their unfair and unlawful actions in relation to the weak and developing opponents. But, at the same
time, in the description and critiques of the participants of this process, Rist is able to convey quite logical
connection and combination of historical actions which carries some truth.
Granted, Rist’s book is inundated with many noteworthy stages in respects to the historical, political, and
economical reforms in the foreplay of the history of development; however, a few points are questionable in their
contribution to the overall progress of his argument. The style in which Rist composes his book comprises many
different authors’ thoughts, ideas and opinions. In my opinion, the collection of authors’ ideas offers a great
background into the foundations of Western development, but the pitfall of this strategy is that it is in nature a
vague tactic that distracts that reader from the overall underlying message. I believe that, by doing so, Rist
becomes overwhelmed and excessively emotional in the broad influx of ideas and plausible guidance that leads to
the development of globalization. Rist refers to the period of colonization as a part of world system formation, the
triumph of third world, and globalization. Based on his research, he believes that his analysis and critique exposes
the idea of illicit influence of a ‘dominant’ race and the reach of overarching corporations in opposition to the
‘dependent’ races and developing societies. In retrospect, I think these areas of the author’s focus in the book are
still of value in terms of providing us a visible and accessible picture of the process of historical development, as
well as revealing some of the key issues of the concept.

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In laying down the foundations of development, the author chaotically and abusively uses examples,
definitions, reference materials and events that have occurred at different time frames, as well as social-
economical situations, out of context. Rist tries to grasp the elements of truth, to bring them together, and to build
one straight definition, based on his beliefs, of how the historical process of development occurred. I can observe
that he resorted to the previously stated definitions and concepts of previous authors while trying to synthesize
them with modern realities. But the only thing that can be derived from his research is that overall it is a general
visionary reiteration of definitions as quoted, “the expression of a wish to live a better life…the great mass of
actions (also often conflicting with one another) which are supposed eventually to bring greater happiness to the
greatest possible number” (pg. 11). The quote expresses the need to achieve a better life fundamental; however, it
is important to note that Rist has not provided any new contributing piece of information to further the
understanding of the early historical development of societies. The quote itself is a little different from the
previous accounts of the other authors who also talked about the same field of investigation, the need for a better
life.
While Rist wants the reader to look into the mechanism of the world system, he gives us, in my opinion, a
great example of the unfair and unlawful nature of the collaboration process between two unequal societies. The
process, when sources of two countries—colonizer and colonized—can be mutually beneficial to each other.
Dominant countries, while they are colonizing dependent countries, bring and share with them some goods—“The
‘higher races’ have rights and duties towards the ‘lower races’, and must share with them the benefits of science
and progress” (pg. 52). Through the ‘dominant’ country the colonized country receives scientists, technology, and
cultural innovations that are the tools for successful development which they did not have prior to colonization.
At the same time, colonizer countries receive all kinds of resources from dependent countries and have the
opportunity to establish their own influential politics in those regions. This kind of phenomenon presents a
propriety relationship for both participants. Aside from the moral and ethical obligations in question of the
developmental process, I believe that there is a logical interpretation and supported circumstances are contained
within Rist’s statement. “Colonization is one of the highest functions of societies that have reached an advanced
stage of civilization….A society colonizes when, having itself reached a higher degree of maturity and
strength….The merit of a colonizing people is to place the young society it has brought in the most suitable
conditions for the development.” (pg. 54). In following Rist’s argument in defense of colonization, it is easy to
accept his logical explanations and systematic procedures in the win-win situation that is established and is
necessary for the development of society. At first, I have to admit that Rist has a good point about the mutual
relationship between the developed state and dependent state; however, when applying this relationship in
respects to the developed colonizing country this is where the theory falls short of anything great or
groundbreaking. The question of the matter here is that if colonization is the only way to achieved a developed
status for a nation-state then who is it that colonized the first world nations that allowed them the scientists,
technology, cultural innovations as well as the right to colonize other developing nations? The answer to this
rhetorical question, in my opinion, is no one. With that said, Rist miscalculated a critical element in his critique of
the world system.
With the development of the third world according to Rist the balance of power shifted in favor of
equilibrium. The main stage of the triumph of the third world takes place in 1970 and the decade that followed.
The author claims that the issue of the new status of certain developing countries that have obtained power and,
by doing so, they have forged their own way into the circle of developed nations. The most striking example of a
tipping point specified is one of the descriptions of the consequences of the Egyptian-Israeli war in the Middle
East in 1967. The war and its aftermath highlighted the seriousness of some of the developing countries which
have acquired the status of an equal player in the international political and economic activities, “within two

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months the OPEC countries had quadrupled the price of oil, underlining the vulnerability of the Western (and
especially European) economies, which largely depended upon Arab countries in this key strategic field. For the
first time, the countries of the South-albeit the richest among them-were acting together in a way that could
seriously disturb the economy in the North 8.” (pg.-142). The first half of the 1970s was a process of turning
down the Western hegemony over the southern hemisphere. The second half of the 1970’s as Rist recounts was a
period of political and economical reform with the rise of the third world and their national interests on the global
market. The New International Economic Order (NIEO) evaluated and specified a precise definition of the
existing problems, disputes, efforts, and instructions to resolve the growing tensions between the Northern and
Southern Hemisphere in the struggle for power, “The present international economic order is in direct conflict
with current developments in international political and economical relations…. The developing world has
become a powerful factor…irreversible changes in the relationship of forces in the world necessitate the active,
full and equal participation of the developing countries.” (pg.-147) Reflecting on the triumph of the third world on
the international scene, the need for a fair and globalized market becomes apparent as a mediator for both political
and economical means.
The final frontier in the systematic world with the decline of poverty in certain developing nations meant
the need for a globalized economy. Rist acknowledges the shift in relations with the former developing and
developed nations. As a new era approaches, there are new problems, challenges, and ‘monstrosities’ that
challenge the existence of society in front of a new modern reality (215). The problems that exist concurrently in
the world are those that affect nations globally and require cooperation on all stages and levels of political and
economical agendas. Such advancements in science and technology, thanks to the cooperation between nations,
have lead to the growth of stem cells, nuclear power stations, and climate change. One of the plausible solutions
proposed in Rist’s book are the implementations of multi-national organizations, such as, the UNDP, the World
Bank, etc… I believe that based on Rist’s information and analysis, this resolution can be a necessary and
important idea in order to create a stable globalized world. However, any serious changes and movements have to
be placed under serious consideration, and observation to details in regards to dire consequences that may occur
should ethnical and political boundaries be crossed. By doing so, this will help prevent the misdemeanor of
regression of the idea of modernization and development of human kind. Otherwise, the end result of ignoring
these guidelines will lead to the corruption and tyranny of the world as it occurred in the past during the
colonization period.
Rist’s work in this book is a series of descriptions of the formation and concept of the development
supported by historical references. The author’s deep thoughtful analysis of the overall stages of development
process will play a significant role in the future as his collection of data will help scientists figure out how
development came about. Despite the fact that most of Rist’s report consists of a collection of theoretical
definitions, historical references, the works of past scholars, emotional statements, and half drawn conclusions,
there is still something to be said of his ideas of how the development of society came to be in his academic
interpretation.
The author’s critical approach to the description behind the foundations of the definitions of development covers
the early stages from colonization to the newer forms of self-assertion in developing countries. His assertions
about how societies progressed are logical in many ways. Rist points out that even the process of colonization can
have a positive influence for all participants in the process of development, although it lends itself to criticism
because only a few of those who had previously been colonized could achieve such a level of full and successful
economic and political development. Rist stresses the point where developing countries have realized the rank
which they have achieved over the duration of time. These developing countries are realized the reality in which

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they are now a political and economical power in the globalized world. With this newfound power comes many
difficulties that arise in the development of various social, political, and economical factors.
In the end, despite his critical remarks against the hegemony of the strong against the weak, the author
sums up everything that is to come of the new participants in the process of development. In short, developed
countries are necessary to create a common and unified management tool for all members of the international
community. In general, Rist’s idea of understanding the main question of the development process refers to the
ability to have a clear and objective vision of the important and necessary point that forces us to create a necessary
legal platform. The author claims that all nations have to create and adopt a new international and unified
management system. The result of this movement would lead to the safety of participants when faced with
difficult obstacles pertaining to domestic level dispute as well as international crisis.
What is good and positive in our world does not occur to us too easily, it is when we begin to understand it
that we will be able to overcome difficulties and provide plausible solutions accordingly; as to whether or not Rist
is right in terms of the development process this, will be left in the clocks of time as history will write the final
verdict.