The principal theme of these Lectures is the eradication of hunger and poverty in the world. The growth of human beings, not of income per head, is the goal of development. The role of the state is examined and it is argued that a strong state is needed, not only for the production or provision or finance of social services, but also for the efficient working of markets. Large firms, through the "judo trick" can stimulate the growth of small enterprises.

Some functions now often taken on by the central government should be delegated downwards, to local voluntary organisations and local government, others should be moved upwards, to global institutions, which would replace the "Diminished Giant" who kept order in the past. Mutually destructive prisoners' dilemmas can thereby be avoided. How can the political base and the pressures for these reforms be created? A normative political economy is called for. Some of the non-poor can be enlisted for the fight against poverty.

A special chapter is devoted to the institutions necessary to protect our physical environment.