Religion in Development

Reviews / Votes

'Religion in Development reminds us of the forgotten role of religion in Development. Severine Deneulin and Masooda Bano tell us that the usual focus of the study of Development on the nation-state is parochial. Scholarship on Development suffers from the same myopia ... Religion in Development introduces a shift in the conceptual framework that separates Development from the linear, rational idea of progress ... Religion in Development deserves to be read carefully to understand the paradoxes and irony of Development. It is lucid, creative and sensitive.'
Abdul Aziz Said, American University

'This volume provides a remarkably concise and clear introduction to a new emerging field in development studies. So far development theory and practise has tended to ignore the impact of the importance of religious ideas, beliefs and practices on development. This neglect is addressed head on by Dr. Severine Deneulin in a way that makes the text appealing, accessible and very attractive to undergraduates, postgraduates and teachers interested in the subject from a variety of disciplines. Religion in Development fills an important gap in the subject area and will certain become essential reading for all those who want to find out more about the manifold interactions between religions and development.'
Gurharpal Singh, University of Birmingham

'For too long in Development Studies the response to religion has been blindness or embarrassment, occasionally even hostility. In the excellent work of Severine Deneulin and Masooda Bano we now have a new basis, firmly rooted in good judgment and buttressed by the best research, for bringing religion in to the mainstream of development policy and research. Their book is an eloquent case against treating religion either as an obstacle to change or as a policy instrument, and against treating religious leadership as mere clients or project managers. They show that a coherent approach cannot consider religion in general as a homogeneous package, but also that a coherent approach must take account of the pervasiveness and variety of religious cultures and practices, and of religiously inspired politics. With its clear style and abundance of telling examples, this book will be indispensable to policymakers, practitioners and academics working in development.'
David Lehmann, Cambridge University

'The intersections of international development and religion take many surprising forms; they force a reevaluation of religion's roles in society and of the very purposes of the development challenge. Severine Deneulin's book explores the intellectual roots of debates around the topic and their implications for both Christianity and Islam and for development practice.'
Katherine Marshall