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Disease and International Development

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Plagues and Politics

Part of the book series: Global Issues Series ((GLOISS))

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Abstract

Over the centuries, there has been considerable debate concerning the sources of industrialization and the nature of the development of economies and societies. The most prominent explanations have been modernization theory and dependency theory. However, previous theories of development have generally overlooked a significant biological parameter that lies at the core of international development, specifically, the burden of infectious disease on the productivity and the consolidation of human capital in a given population. Following the lead of Robert Fogel, I argue that the mastery of high morbidity and mortality rates in a given population has been a central driver of state prosperity and economic strength throughout recorded history. Similarly, I argue that the continuing and unchecked proliferation of emerging and re-emerging infectious disease represents a considerable threat to the economic development, stability and prosperity of states throughout the world.

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Notes

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Authors
  1. Andrew T. Price-Smith
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of North Dakota, USA

    Andrew T. Price-Smith (Assistant Professor, Director of the Program on Environment, Health and Human Security) (Assistant Professor, Director of the Program on Environment, Health and Human Security)

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© 2001 Andrew T. Price-Smith

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Price-Smith, A.T. (2001). Disease and International Development. In: Price-Smith, A.T. (eds) Plagues and Politics. Global Issues Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230524248_6

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