The New International Economic Order and the Basic Needs Approach

Abstract

The article explores, without claiming to do so in depth, the important political conflict that is shaping up between two ‘Grand Designs’ in development theory and practice: the New International Economic Order (NIEO) and the Basic Needs (BN) approach, each of which has to be studied in relation to the other. It analyses the two aspects of the debate - the issues and the parties - which are common to all conflict situations, and then goes on to examine if and how far the two theories are compatible, mutually contradictory, or conflicting.