The notion of development is a Western myth and it is aptly shattered in the course of this book. The content, not only well conceived but also well configured, eloquently takes the reader through the maze of historical perspectives and ideological frameworks from which the whole idea of development took its contemporary form. The book untangles this maze step-by-step for the readers, so it can be safely said that it provides an exceptional starting point for those new to the study of development.
The book features writings of some of the most prominent writers, 'unconventional scholars' and critics of development like Majid Rahnema, Ivan Illich, Gustavo Esteva, C. Douglas Lummis, Marianne Gronemeyer etc. Their works and views are compiled as one integrated, exemplary collection of essays with the first one covering the very concept itself (i.e. development) and the succeeding ones being linked by the convincing agenda framed for readers in the brilliant introduction written by Wolfgang Sachs. All the essays present a meticulous analysis of intense issues like poverty, production, technology, resources, population, environment, socialism, etc; the primary concerns raised by those who believe in eradicating global injustice which has made mere survival grueling for millions of people all over the world. In short, the buzzwords of this century are comprehensively reviewed and critically presented in the context of the development story of the last 40 years. This book poses an intellectual challenge not only to our preconditioned mindsets but also to the whole ideology of the development era.
Year of Publication: 1992
Published by: Zed Boos Ltd.
