Globalization and Development Cooperation: A Reformer’s Agenda

Abstract

Gerry Helleiner’s extensive writings on international economic cooperation possess many virtues: generosity of spirit, clarity of thought and exposition, a global perspective and a willingness to challenge the status quo. These virtues are much needed today as the world enters a new era and confronts problems which have long been relatively neglected. Prominent among neglected issues is the framework for development cooperation.¹ The original framework was established in the aftermath of the Second World War and grew to its present size and shape during the decades of the Cold War. The time has come to reconsider the entire structure and perhaps to revamp it. The purpose of this essay is to contribute to such a reconsideration. If it possesses at least some of the virtues of Gerry Helleiner’s own writings on this subject, I shall be very pleased.

A slightly shortened version of this chapter was published in a Festschrift in honour of Gerry Helleiner: Roy Culpeper, Albert Berry and Frances Stewart (eds), Global Governance and Development Fifty Years After Bretton Woods (London: Macmillan, 1996).