Skip to content

The White Man's Burden
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The White Man's Burden Hardback - 2006

by Easterly, William

An informed and excoriating attack on the tragic waste, futility, and hubris of the West's efforts to date to improve the lot of the so-called developing world, with constructive suggestions on how to move forward.

William Easterly's The White Man's Burden is about what its author calls the twin tragedies of global poverty. The first, of course, is that so many are seemingly fated to live horribly stunted, miserable lives and die such early deaths. The second is that after fifty years and more than $2.3 trillion in aid from the West to address the first tragedy, it has shockingly little to show for it. We'll never solve the first tragedy, Easterly argues, unless we figure out the second.

The ironies are many: We preach a gospel of freedom and individual accountability, yet we intrude in the inner workings of other countries through bloated aid bureaucracies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank that are accountable to no one for the effects of their prescriptions. We take credit for the economic success stories of the last fifty years, like South Korea and Taiwan, when in fact we deserve very little. However, we reject all accountability for pouring more than half a trillion dollars into Africa and other regions and trying one "big new idea" after another, to no avail. Most of the places in which we've meddled are in fact no better off or are even worse off than they were before. Could it be that we don't know as much as we think we do about the magic spells that will open the door to the road to wealth?

Absolutely, William Easterly thunders in this angry, irreverent, and important book. He contrasts two approaches: (1) the ineffective planners' approach to development-never able to marshal enough knowledge or motivation to get the overambitious plans implemented to attain the plan's arbitrary targets and (2) a more constructive searchers' approach-always on the lookout for piecemeal improvements to poor peoples' well-being, with a system to get more aid resources to those who find things that work. Once we shift power and money from planners to searchers, there's much we can do that's focused and pragmatic to improve the lot of millions, such as public health, sanitation, education, roads, and nutrition initiatives. We need to face our own history of ineptitude and learn our lessons, especially at a time when the question of our ability to "build democracy," to transplant the institutions of our civil society into foreign soil so that they take root, has become one of the most pressing we face.


From the publisher

An informed and excoriating attack on the tragic waste, futility, and hubris of the West's efforts to date to improve the lot of the so-called developing world, with constructive suggestions on how to move forward.
William Easterly's "The White Man's Burden" is about what its author calls the twin tragedies of global poverty. The first, of course, is that so many are seemingly fated to live horribly stunted, miserable lives and die such early deaths. The second is that after fifty years and more than $2.3 trillion in aid from the West to address the first tragedy, it has shockingly little to show for it. We'll never solve the first tragedy, Easterly argues, unless we figure out the second. The ironies are many: We preach a gospel of freedom and individual accountability, yet we intrude in the inner workings of other countries through bloated aid bureaucracies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank that are accountable to no one for the effects of their prescriptions. We take credit for the economic success stories of the last fifty years, like South Korea and Taiwan, when in fact we deserve very little. However, we reject all accountability for pouring more than half a trillion dollars into Africa and other regions and trying one "big new idea" after another, to no avail. Most of the places in which we've meddled are in fact no better off or are even worse off than they were before. Could it be that we don't know as much as we think we do about the magic spells that will open the door to the road to wealth?
Absolutely, William Easterly thunders in this angry, irreverent, and important book. He contrasts two approaches: (1) the ineffective planners' approach to development-never able to marshal enough knowledge or motivation to get the overambitious plans implemented to attain the plan's arbitrary targets and (2) a more constructive searchers' approach-always on the lookout for piecemeal improvements to poor peoples' well-being, with a system to get more aid resources to those who find things that work. Once we shift power and money from planners to searchers, there's much we can do that's focused and pragmatic to improve the lot of millions, such as public health, sanitation, education, roads, and nutrition initiatives. We need to face our own history of ineptitude and learn our lessons, especially at a time when the question of our ability to "build democracy," to transplant the institutions of our civil society into foreign soil so that they take root, has become one of the most pressing we face.

Details

  • Title The White Man's Burden
  • Author Easterly, William
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 448
  • Language EN
  • Publisher Penguin Press HC, The, New York
  • Date 2006-03-16
  • ISBN 9781594200373
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

by Easterly, William

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9781594200373
ISBN 10
1594200378
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$1.49
$3.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Press HC, The. Used - Good. A sound copy with only light wear. Overall a solid copy at a great price!
Item Price
$1.49
$3.00 shipping to USA
The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

by Easterly, William

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9781594200373
ISBN 10
1594200378
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$1.99
$3.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Press HC, The. Used - Good. . . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
Item Price
$1.99
$3.00 shipping to USA
The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

by William Easterly

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - GOOD
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9781594200373
ISBN 10
1594200378
Quantity Available
5
Seller
Toledo, Ohio, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$2.75
$3.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Press HC, The. Hardcover. GOOD. Spine creases, wear to binding and pages from reading. May contain limited notes, underlining or highlighting that does affect the text. Possible ex library copy, will have the markings and stickers associated from the library. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included.
Item Price
$2.75
$3.00 shipping to USA
The White Man's Burden : Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The White Man's Burden : Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

by Easterly, William

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9781594200373
ISBN 10
1594200378
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.00
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$5.00
FREE shipping to USA
The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

by Easterly, William

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 13
9781594200373
ISBN 10
1594200378
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Imperial, Missouri, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.24
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Item Price
$5.24
FREE shipping to USA
The White Man's Burden : Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The White Man's Burden : Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

by Easterly, William

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9781594200373
ISBN 10
1594200378
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.87
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$5.87
FREE shipping to USA
The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

by Easterly, William

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9781594200373
ISBN 10
1594200378
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.01
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Press, 2006. Hardcover. Very Good. Former library book; Missing dust jacket; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.01
FREE shipping to USA
The White Man's Burden : Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So...

The White Man's Burden : Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

by William Easterly

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9781594200373
ISBN 10
1594200378
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.01
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2006. Hardcover. Good. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.01
FREE shipping to USA
The White Man's Burden : Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So...

The White Man's Burden : Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

by William Easterly

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9781594200373
ISBN 10
1594200378
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.01
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2006. Hardcover. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.01
FREE shipping to USA
The White Man's Burden : Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So...

The White Man's Burden : Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

by William Easterly

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9781594200373
ISBN 10
1594200378
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.01
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2006. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.01
FREE shipping to USA