Industrialization and regional development in the Third World, with special reference to the case of Brazil

Abstract

The main argument of this article is that the different theoretical approaches that have been used to analyze the problems of development in the Third World have placed excessive emphasis upon the influence of imperialist forces in the failure of industrialization and development policies in underdeveloped countries. In the first part of the article, a retrospective analysis is made, taking as an example the experience of certain developing countries; it is pointed out that the analysts did not arrive at a correct evaluation of the influence of the diversity of local responses, nor did they bear in mind the impact of class relations, political ideology, or national policies. This is meant to underline the fact that in view of the current world economic situation, in which a new structure of the capitalist system is taking shape, and given the predominance of industrialization through "flexible production" systems, it is imperative to not allow theoretical discourse regarding imperialism to divert attention which should be paid to the fundamental role played by contemporary local dynamics.