Development Right of Conquest

A political principle saying outsiders claim the moral right to 'develop' other peoples by coercion, paternalism, or removal if necessary. Easterly (via this review) traces this idea across five centuries of Western policy and argues it explains many abuses masked as benevolent development. — Naming and critiquing this principle reframes debates over foreign aid, nation‑building, and technical assistance around consent and legitimacy rather than solely GDP outcomes.