Cultural objects have been in movement throughout history. Why has this been considered by some as a "North-South" issue? The way in which the topic has been set suggests a confrontation. But in fact it is not geography but economics that divides states on this issue and, as I hope to show, there is a good deal of cooperation across the dividing line. The reason why the issue is of such concern today is that the strength of the art market in the industrialized, economically advantaged states creates unprecedented pressure on cultures in poorer countries, many of whom are facing the prospect of losing their most important material culture.
