The Politics of Development

UNDERSTANDING THE POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT 1 Why is development political? - Claire Mcloughlin, David Hudson, Nic Cheeseman, Sameen Ali, and Kailing Xie 2 Whose knowledge counts? Global inequalities, knowledge production and the need for decolonisation - Zenobia Ismail FOUNDATIONS: INSTITUTIONS, INTERESTS, AND IDEAS 3 Do institutions rule? Order, incentives, and norms - Jasmine Burnley, Niheer Dasandi, and David Hudson 4 Development in whose interest? Elites, power, and collective action - Sameen Ali, David Hudson, and Claire Mcloughlin 5 What's the big idea? Ideology, beliefs, and discourse - Nic Cheeseman, Claire Mcloughlin, and Kate Pruce CHANGE-MAKERS: GOVERNMENT, MARKET, PEOPLE, DONORS 6 Are some governments better than others? Democracy, authoritarianism, and development states - Nic Cheeseman 7 Should markets rule? Economic policy, international financial institutions, and free trade - Bizuneh Yimenu 8 Power to the people? Social movements, popular participation, and deepening democracy - Chris Lyon and Ellie Chowns 9 Follow the money? Global and local aid, donor influence, and reparations - Emily Scott CHALLENGES: THE POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT FROM THE GROUND UP 10 How does my identity matter? Intersectionality, positionality, and power relations - Kailing Xie, Emeka Njoku, and Merisa Thompson 11 Why doesn't everyone get the same? Inequality, exclusion, and inclusion - Soomin Oh and David Hudson 12 How can I jump this queue? Petty corruption, clientelism, and other games within the rules - Claire Mcloughlin and Sameen Ali 13 Can the planet cope with development? Sustainability, justice, and transformational political change - Fiona Nunan, Harriet Croome, and Chukwumerije Okereke 14 When do people accept authority? Legitimacy, coercion, and the social contract - Jonathan Fisher and Claire Mcloughlin 15 When does contestation turn violent? Conflict and peacebuilding - Jonathan Fisher and Paul Jackson

This is one of those books that makes you ask, 'why haven't we had one of these before?' The Politics of Development starts from the premise that all development is political, and expertly unpacks the evidence for that assertion and the implications for thinking and practice. -- Duncan Green * https://frompoverty.oxfam.org.uk/book-review-the-politics-of-development/ * This book is destined to become essential reading in any university courses that consider the politics of development. It expertly unpicks the essentially political and painful nature of development, the core role of 'contestation', and the ideas, interests and institutions involved in both driving and blocking the expansion of the freedoms to be and to do that Amartya Sen identified as the true heart of human development. A wonderful addition to the literature. -- Professor Duncan Green Development is political. That is the powerful and indisputable message of the authors of this book. Scholars and practitioners take note and start with this terrific and authoritative book. -- Professor James A. Robinson Development is messy, contested, and deeply political. It impacts all aspects of our lives, especially if we are in particularly deprived communities and countries. It shapes age old problems like corruption, and more recent challenges like the climate crisis. The beauty of this book is that it covers the vast span of development, and its power-laden nature, in an engaging, accessible, and knowledgeable manner. It will be an excellent addition to reading lists. -- Professor Nikita Sud The Politics of Development is an invaluable resource, bringing together in one place a lively and accessible overview of the politics of power, contestation and change. Not to be missed on any reading list in development studies. -- Professor John Gaventa The Politics of Development is clear and persuasive. It is centred on how institutions are shaped by people's interests, and the importance of ideas to understand when development does, or doesn't, happen. An important and lucid contribution in understanding how politics shape development. -- Jakkie Cilliers The Politics of Development is an insightful and thought-provoking book that illuminates the inherent link between politics and development. It offers a comprehensive framework to better understand global power dynamics and empowers readers to actively transform the world. A must-read for students of development everywhere. -- Dr Ivica Petrikova