35 pages 1 hour read

William Easterly

The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2006

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Essay Topics

1.

As a top development economist and a former employee of the World Bank, how does William Easterly’s own background lend credibility to and/or invite criticism of the narrative he presents in the White Man’s Burden?

2.

In the arena of international development, Easterly describes the two types of forces that are working within aid—the Planners versus the Searchers. Outline the differences between them and explain with examples the approach that Easterly describes as the most effective.

3.

Referencing Chapter 8, “From Colonialism to Postmodern Imperialism,” explain if there were any advantages or disadvantages of colonialization from an economic and historical standpoint for either the colonizers or the colonized. Provide supporting examples.