Book Review: Developed Minds, Developing Minds And The Stupid Terrorists

By Harish Maiya
© 2009
Published via BookSurge
ISBN: 1-4392-6578-X
ISBN: 13: 9781-4392-6578-9
Pages: 164

Every once in a while a real gem of a book comes along in which the author reveals above average insights in to local, national and international affairs. Such is the case with this treatise on the social, political and economic issues facing underdeveloped, developing and developed nations.

Although I’m not thrilled with the title of this book, Maiya offers sound and practical solutions to many of the above-mentioned problems. He notes how most people in underdeveloped countries are simplex thinkers who are primarily concerned with their everyday survival, giving little if any thought to the rest of the world or the betterment of mankind as a whole. Often ruthless dictators lead such nations and could care less about making life better for even their own people.

Developing nations, on the other hand, strive in some ways to improve their social, economic and political systems but still might not have the drive or will to face their problems head on. And finally, the developed countries like the United States not only tackle their own deficiencies but also attempt to help others around the world.

Maiya discusses a multitude of issues from poverty, pollution, illiteracy, health care, child labor, military aid, government bailouts, “greedy” corporations, free trade, labor unions and unemployment, domestic violence, political corruption, terrorism, the death penalty and population control, to drugs, same-sex unions and even the workings of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As you can tell an exhaustive list of issues are discussed with suggestions on how to handle them.

As well, Maiya relates most of these issues to India and how his homeland is doing with regard to social, political and economic progress. He gives this nation where more than 30 million people live in poverty, low grades on most issues due to “government corruption” and its ineffective multi-party system.

“In a developing country like India, the poverty rate and conditions of people living in poverty are more dismal than in any developed country,” he wrote.
Although India does have universal health care, he notes that even that is not handled properly to help those in need. He even takes a stab at Bollywood and its stars for their lack of concern and inaction with regard to charitable giving.

The only thing Maiya has very few complaints about is the United States and more specifically, President Barack Obama. However, he notes that the U.S. should provide universal health care – “piece by piece” if necessary - to appease health insurance lobbyists, overpaid doctors and the private health care industry in general.

On a worldwide scale, he suggests that the U.S. should re-evaluate its aid to countries led by dictators, and increase political and economic sanctions against those nations that cannot provide even basic human rights for their people.

As for the “stupid terrorists” who seek to frighten others into giving into their demands, Maiya notes: “they can only achieve their goals… by engaging themselves positively in modern society.” He adds: “The extreme ideologies of promoting violence has nothing to do with childhood abuse and trauma as some experts claim but is due to the teachings of hatred to kids about religions and the notion of perceived injustice.”

Throughout the book, Maiya, an Oregon resident who is obviously well educated, proves himself as one of the world’s foremost critical thinkers. It’s a shame, however, that he did not seek a traditional publisher who could have presented his work in a more professional manner. Even the book cover – as you can see – is plain and uninteresting. Hopefully, future editions will give this book the dignity it deserves.

To purchase a copy of this book go HERE.