This economic development text from Baker frames its purpose with the question of why some countries are rich while others are poor, and frames its discussion with a threefold framework of developed West, underdeveloped South, and the natural world. The first section introduces definitions, methodology, and basic data on the geographic distribution of economic development. Part II addresses the current and historical roles of the West, including the effects of slavery, colonialism, globalization, foreign aid and the Bretton Woods system. Part III addresses domestic factors in countries of the global South, including culture and identity, prevailing models of state-market interaction, political and economic institutions, violence, state failure, and gender inequality. The last section explores the role of physical geography in determining political and economic trajectories. Each chapter includes at least one case study consisting of a critique of a country's development status, and large, colorful graphics and textboxes are included. CQ Press is an imprint of SAGE Publications. Annotation ©2014 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)