This is an indirect outgrowth of Marxist thinking that attributes the existence and continuance of underdevelopment between the rich and poor countries primarily to the historical evolution of a highly unequal international capitalist system. In this systems rich countries are intentionally exploitative or unintentionally neglectful and the international system is dominated by unequal power relationship between the centre and the periphery. This makes it difficult for the poor nations to develop.
The situation is perpetuated by the power groups (landlords, entrepreneurs, military leaders, merchants, public officers and trade union leaders etc.). These group enjoy high incomes, social status, political power and constitute an elite ruling class whose principle interest is to knowingly or unknowingly lies in the perpetuation of the international capitalist system of inequality for which they are rewarded. Therefore underdevelopment is seen as an externally induced phenomenon.