Oral history interview with Samir Amin, 2002

Biographical Note

Economist

Scope and Contents

Born 1931 in Egypt; education: advanced studies at Sciences-Po and l'Institut National des Statistiques et Etudes Economiques, Paris; doctorate in economics, 1957; career: involvement in French Communist party, return to Egypt in 1957 to work in public sector management, term at Finance Ministry's Economic and Financial Studies Office (SEEF), ministry of planning in Bamako, 1960-1963; teaching appointments at university in Dakar and Vincennes (Paris VIII, Saint-Denis); director of U.N. African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) 1970-1980; involvement with Environmental Development in the Third World (ENDA), Council for Development of Economic and Social Research in Africa (CODESRIA), director of African office of Third World Forum (Forum du Tiers Monde); themes: "developmentalism," nationalist activity in 1950s Egypt, African liberation movements, involvement in Algerian movements of 1970s, United Nations developments (focus 1955-1975), critique of transnationalism, view on US hegemonistic strategy, development from capitalism to socialism; formation of Third World Forum, role of Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

Subjects

• African Institute for Economic Development and Planning.
• Amin, Samir--Interviews.
• Balance of power.
• Berthelot, Yves, interviewer.
• Capitalism.
• Codesria.
• ENDA (Organization)
• Economic development.
• Economists--Interviews.
• Geopolitics.
• Interviews
• Nationalism--Egypt.
• National liberation movements--Africa.
• Oral histories (literary works)
• Socialism.
• Third World Forum. African Office.
• Transnationalism.
• United Nations--History--20th century.
• United Nations--Officials and employees--Interviews.
• United Nations. Economic Commission for Africa.

Access Conditions

Copyright by the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, 2002