Entering the 21st Century: The Changing Development Landscape

Front Cover
World Bank and Oxford University Press, 1999 - 300 pages
The report states that localization -- the growing economic and political power of cities, provinces, and other sub-national entities -- will be one of the most important new trends in the 21st century. Together with accelerating globalization of the world economy, localization could revolutionize prospects for human development or it could lead to chaos and increased human suffering, the report says. According to the WDR 1999/2000, improved communications, transportation and falling trade barriers are not only making the world smaller they are also fueling the desire and providing the means for local communities to shape their own future. Faced with popular demands for greater self-determination, national governments from Africa to Latin America, and from Europe to South East Asia are devolving power to the local level with mixed results.

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