The nationalist alternative. / Renato Constantino.

The Nationalist Alternative was originally prepared as a country report for the Unitar conference of Asian scholars in New Delhi on Alternative Development Strategies and the Future of Asia. It offers a framework for viewing the contemporary situation and addresses a challenge to all sectors of Philippine society to approach contemporary problems from the nationalist point of view. It questions a number of generally accepted priorities and subjects to a critical analysis assumptions which are still part of the national consciousness. Prof. Constantino attempts to elevate the discussion of contemporary problems to a new level, avoiding as much as possible those personal and sectoral considerations that have impeded a real continuing dialogue on basic national issues. The work weaves facts and figures into a coherent totality and brings out certain controversial points which should enliven any national debate on Philippine directions and prospects. The book covers a wide range of issues which are customarily discussed in piecemeal, uncorrelated fashion. The aim of the author is to urge all Filipinos to undertake a nationalist reassessment of the grave problems that confront the country. The author also discusses the need for collective action by Third World countries which have parallel problems and are confronted by the same institutions and forces that are responsible for their continuing poverty. This revised edition includes new data and updates the analysis of economic and political developments which have brought the country to its present crisis.