| Abstract: | The scope and the limits of the use and transfer of development research are discussed and the question is raised what social, political, philosophical and moral problems arise when scholars from rich countries, with well-endowed centres of learning, carry out research on and in substantially poorer countries. The charges are examined that have been made by developing countries against research on their problems and in their territory, and in particular the charge of intellectual imperialism. Different arguments for collaboration in research between rich and poor countries are distinguished. There is a discussion of interdisciplinary research and its organization. Some of the issues are illustrated with the aid of an example: research on poverty eradication and strategies for greater (efficient) equality. The question is raised whether research in rich countries should confine itself to the ‘interface’ of rich – poor relations or whether development research is an indivisible whole. |
