Paul Harrison has provided a comprehensive guide to the roots of mass poverty, to the social strains and political instability that turn one Third World country after another into dangerous flashpoints, an ever-growing threat to the world's peace and prosperity. From climate and colonialism, through land hunger, exploding cities and unemployment, to over population, malnutrition, disease and illiteracy, the wealth of facts and analysis is brought home in first hand, often harrowing accounts of the realities of life for poor people and poor communities in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The book is based on five year's research and travel in eleven countries between 1975 and 1980 which also brought him to Sri Lanka.