Very few countries have recognised this critical situation and very little effort is going into providing jobs or services. [...] [T]he authors roundly blamed laissez-faire globalisation and "neo-liberal" economic policies imposed on poor countries by global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation for much of the damage caused to cities over the past 20 years.
[...]
In a form of colonialisation that is probably more stringent than the original, many developing countries have become... suppliers of raw commodities to the world, and fall further and further behind.

The authors say people are encouraged to move to the cities by factors including the privatisation of public services, job losses, and the removal of subsidies and tax breaks from key industries. Such effects, they say, increase inequality, and make sure that those who move to the cities remain in deep poverty.