THE CONSCIENCE OF THE RICH NATIONS

The Development Assistance Committee was set up for the purpose of coordinating the foreign aid policies of Western countries. Mr. Rubin, who was the first U.S. representative to the DAC, from 1962 to 1964, discusses here the broad purposes and (so far) strictly limited results of this common aid effort. By far the biggest single contributor of development aid for emerging nations, the U.S. has played a dominant role in the search for effective means of cooperation on such projects--much too dominant a role, some critics would say, and Mr. Rubin lends their views his muted support. The relationships, among donors and between them and recipients, are ""fragile, subject to many strains."" So very much more must be done, and quickly, in these directions, that pessimism is difficult to avoid; only lifelong habits of caution and tact, it seems, have restrained this author from expressing much stronger doubts and disillusion. His brief book is useful in acquainting the general public with the workings of a little-known organization. But the book as well as the subject suggests that much more explicit work is still required.