"Disparities between the economic development of nations have widened throughout the twentieth century, and they show no sign of closing. In the nineteenth century, the economic potential of developed countries was three times that of the rest of the world. Today the gap is twenty times greater, and the trend is increasing.

In this provocative reexamination of theories of accelerated development, or "catching up." Vladislav Inozemtsev traces the evolution of thinking about how countries lagging behind can most swiftly move forward, and assesses their prospects for success in this effort." "Inozemtsev reviews the experience of the Soviet Union, as well as the recent experience of Japan, China, Southeast Asia."--BOOK JACKET.