Arguments on homegoing/coming may be short-sighted, argues Kenneth Harrow, without technology in the luggage.

The focus so far has been largely on the issue of the return of people home. however, the issue of development might not simply be a people issue. I read an analysis of the growing gap between the poor and wealthy nations, and the impediments to development, which suggested that the greatest obstacle to development is the failure to effect technology transfer. where South Korea succeeded and Mexico failed, according to this analysis, was in South Korea's insistence that the implantation of factories on their soil be accompanied by the transference of technology with the factories. Mexico became merely the temporary site for a factory and for its population's labor to be employed. when the factory left, so did the technology, the jobs, the income.

the lesson is that people who return, even if well educated in any particular field, aren't enough. there must be a transference of the technology as well, and then, if the resources can be mobilized, the local markets protected, growth can be effected.

ken harrow

Kenneth W. Harrow

Professor of English
Michigan State University
harrow@msu.edu
517 353-7243

fax 353 3755

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