What are the prospects for inclusionary development, in the sense that Peter Houtzager uses the term in chapter 1? By 2015, in how many countries will poor people be receiving an enhanced share of the material fruits of economic growth? And how many of these improvements in income distribution will be sustainable because they reflect some embedding into policy-making processes of political parties, movements, and institutions that give greater voice and influence to the poor? I have no idea of the answers and will make no serious attempt at prophecy. My objective here is more instrumental: To try to prevent the unwarranted use of academic social science in the service of pessimism-or reaction.
Editors
