Why do so many international development projects fail? Is it because poor regions are inherently corrupt, or is it because developers and donors do not properly take into account how local survival mechanisms work? In a lively and provocative analysis of community development, Michael Rosberg challenges the received wisdom of international development agencies, suggesting that in order for development to be successful it must speak directly to the self-interest of individuals in emerging nations. In an accessible and personal work, The Power of Greed deftly navigates the thickets of morality, theory, and ideology to arrive at pragmatic strategies that demonstrate that when an individual's self-interest is creatively and appropriately engaged in cooperative enterprise, the greater good of the community can be well served.