Originally published in 1993. This book outlines the failure of investment for Third World development to address the development of people, communities and institutions and an underlying cause of this global phenomenon. It shows how new perceptions of the communication process in development and the advent of software delivery utilities for public use introduce a basis for transforming conventional development approaches to education, health and government. This will link the private sector into the delivery of public services on a large scale. The book addresses how technology can help the poor and looks at the roles communication plays in achieving sustainability.

The author spent twelve years working in Africa in agriculture, rural development and tertiary education and then fifteen years working for the World Bank with an overview of lending for development and education before becoming the World Bank specialist in Development Communication 1987-90.