The History of Development From Western Origins to Global Faith, 4th Edition

by Rist, Gilbert

• ISBN13: 9781783600229
• ISBN10: 1783600225
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2014-05-01
• Publisher: ZED BOOKS

Summary

In The History of Development, Gilbert Rist provides a complete and powerful overview of what the idea of  development has meant throughout history. He traces it from its origins in the Western view of history, through  the early stages of the world system, the rise of US hegemony, the supposed triumph of the third world, through to new concerns about the environment and globalization. In two new chapters on the Millennium  Development Goals and post-development thinking, Rist brings the book completely up to date. Throughout,  he argues persuasively that development has been no more than a collective delusion, which in reality has only resulted in widening market relations, despite the good intentions of its advocates.

Lucidly and powerfully written, this new edition is more essential than ever for students and practitioners of development.

Author Biography

Gilbert Rist is professor emeritus at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. He first taught at the University of Tunis, became the Director of the Europe-Third World Centre in Geneva and, later on, Senior Researcher on a United Nations University Project. Afterwards he joined the Graduate Institute of Development Studies where he taught intercultural relations and social anthropology.

Table of Contents

Preface to The Fourth Edition
Preface to The Third Edition
Preface to The Second Edition
Introduction
1. Definitions of Development
Conventional Thinking
A Methodological Word of Caution
Elements of A Definition
A Scandalous Definition?
'Development' as An Element In The Religion of Modernity
2. Metamorphoses of A Western Myth
Colonization 
The League of Nations and The Mandate System
Conclusion 
3. The Beginnings of Globalization
Colonization
The League of Nations and The System Mandates
Conclusion 
4. The Invention of Development
President Truman's Point Four
A New World-View: 'Underdevelopment'
US Hegemony 
A New Paradigm 
The 'Development' Age
5. The International Doctrine and Institutions Take Root
The Bandung Conference 
The New International 'Development' Agencies
6. The Modernization Period Between History and Prophecy
A Philosophy of History: Rostow's Stages of Economic Growth 
Anti-Communism Or Marxism Without Marx? 
Dissident Voices
7. The Periphery and The Understanding of History
Neo-Marxism In The United States 
The Latin American Dependentistas 
A New Paradigm, but Age-Old Presuppositions
8. Self­ Reliance: The Communal Past as A Model For The Future
Ujamaa and The Tanzanian Experience 
The Principles of Self-Reliance
Possible Futures For Self-Reliance
9. The Triumph of Third­Worldism
The New International Economic Order 
An Original Voice: The Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation Report On Another Development 
In The Wake of The NIEO: Further Proposals
The 'Basic Needs' Approach 
Conclusion
10. The Environment, Or The New Nature of "Development"
The Return to Classical Economics Plus A Few Humanitarian
Extras 
'Sustainable Development' Or Growth Everlasting? 
The Earth Summit 
Reflections On Deliberate Ambiguity
11. A Mixture of Realism and Fine Sentiments
The South Commission 
The UNDP and 'Human Development'
12. Globalization as Simulacrum of 'Development'
On The Usefulness of Talking at Cross-Purposes
Globalization, The Last Hope of Achieving 'Development'?
Virtual Reality as A Refuge For Continuing Belief
13. From The Struggle Against Poverty to The Millennium Development Goals
Just What Is The Problem?
Who Are The Poor?
Intervention On All Fronts
The Millennium Goals: 'Development' In Shreds
'Development Aid': Massaging The Figures
Conclusion
14. The Great Reversal?
Untraceable 'Development' 
Are There Better Models?
Poverty Reduction: A Success? 
The Environment as Victim of the Crisis 
Conclusion
15. Beyond "Development": From Decline to Fundamental Economic Change
Growth Objectors and 'Development Fundamentalists' 
Economics as 'Science': An Outdated Concept 
Conclusion
Taking Stock
Post-Development 
An End to The Primacy of Economics? Seeing Is Believing
Bibliography