Rethinking Development Geographies

Development as a concept is notoriously imprecise, vague and presumptuous. Struggles over the meaning of this fiercely contested term have had profound implications on the destinies of people and places across the globe. Rethinking Development Geographies offers a stimulating and critical introduction to the study of geography and development. In doing so, it sets out to explore the spatiality of development thinking and practices. The book highlights the geopolitical nature of development and its origins in Empire and the Cold War. It also reflects critically on the historical engagement of geographers with 'the Tropics', the 'Third World' and the 'South'. The dominant economic and political philosophies that shape the policies and perspectives of major institutions are discussed. The interconnections between globalization and development are highlighted through an examination of local, national and transnational resistance to various forms of development. The text provides an accessible introduction to the complex and confusing world of contemporary global development. Informative diagrams, cartoons and case studies are used throughout. While exploring global geographies of economic and political change Rethinking Development Geographies is also grounded in a concern with people and places, the 'view from below', the views of women and the view from the 'South'. Development As A Concept Is Notoriously Imprecise, Vague, And Presumptuous, Yet Struggles Over The Meaning Of This Fiercely Contested Term Have Had Profound Implications On The Destinies Of People And Places Across The Globe. Rethinking Development Geographies Offers A Stimulating And Critical Introduction To The Study Of Geography And Development. In Doing So It Sets Out To Explore The Spatiality Of Development Thought And Practice. The Book Highlights The Geopolitical Nature Of Development And Its Origins In Empire And The Cold War. It Also Reflects Critically On The Historical Engagement Of Geographers With 'the Tropics', The 'third World' And The 'south'. The Dominant Economic And Political Philosophies That Shape The Policies And Perspectives Of Major Institutions Are Explored Here. The Interconnections Between Globalisation And Development Are Highlighted Through An Examination Of Local, National And Transnational Resistance To Various Forms Of Development. Introduction -- Illuminating The Dark Side Of Development -- Geographers And The 'tropics' -- Development Thinking : Where Is The Magical 'kingdom Of Abundance'? -- Thirdworldism And The Imagination Of Global Development -- Post-colonial Geographies Of Development -- Globalisation, Government And Power -- The Dissemination Of Development -- 'theorising Back' : Views From The South And The Globalisation Of Resistance -- Conclusions : Resisting The Temptations Of Remedies, Mirages And Fairy-tales. Marcus Power. Simultaneously Published In The Usa And Canada. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 238-257) And Index. Moving away from the traditional approach of providing descriptive accounts of Third World geographical issues, this book offers a stimulating critical introduction to the changing geographies of global development