Development In Theory And Practice: Bridging The GapAs wealthy countries focus more attention on the ravages of poverty and maldistribution of the world's resources, the rationales for what is or is not done in the name of “development” have become more elaborate and abstract. And as the literature has proliferated, communication among those who approach development from different perspectives, disciplines, and professions has become more strained. In this innovative text, Jan Black argues that what is missing is “appropriate theory” that can help place the findings of social scientists and seasoned development practitioners at the service of those who would promote a more equitable and empowering approach to development.In the first section the author presents the differing and even contradictory definitions of development and the various explanatory models and means of measurement associated with them. This is followed by an analysis of the evolution of development strategies and programs both of the First World—donor countries and organizations—and of Third World leaders, movements, and regional organizations. The author highlights key issues in the development debate of the 1990s, including ecology, refugees, debt, the informal sector, and gender roles. In a final section she addresses the process of development and illustrates, through a number of vignettes and case studies, the sometimes illusory links between motives and consequences.At a time when theoreticians and practitioners appear to occupy different worlds and speak different languages, and when a large number of developing countries seem to be falling into an irreversible cycle of debt and dependency, this book is particularly welcome and compelling. |
Contents
In Pursuit of Appropriate Theory | 1 |
Defining Development and Its Nemesis | 15 |
Models and Measurements | 23 |
Copyright | |
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101st Congress 1st Session administration Africa approach areas Brazil bureaucratic capital Central America Chimborazo client Cold War Committee on Foreign cultural debt dependency theorists devel development agencies development programs early Ecuador Ecuadorean elites empowerment example export February 1989 Washington field agents Force on Foreign foreign aid Foreign Assistance funds Furthermore global IERAC income Indian industry institutions interests investment Kayapo labor land Latin America leaders less literacy major donor markets Materials on Foreign ment military million mobilization modern needs neocolonial NGOs OPEC opment organizations PARADOX particularly Paulo Freire Peace Corps Peace Corps volunteer peasants percent poor population problem production projects promote Quechua Raúl Prebisch redistribution reformist refugees revolution revolutionary role rural development sector SEDRI social strategy theory Third World U.S. aid U.S. foreign U.S. House United Nations University Press urban USAID village women World Bank World Vision York