Megarhetorics of Global Development, The
Published on 20. January 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
280 pages
978-0-8229-6172-7 (ISBN)
Description
After World War II, an unprecedented age of global development began. The formation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund allowed war torn and poverty stricken nations to become willing debtors in their desire to entice Western investment and trade. New capital, it was foretold, would pave the way to political and economic stability, and the benefits would \u201ctrickle down\u201d to even the poorest citizens. The hyperbole of this neocolonialism, however, has left many of these countries with nothing but compounded debt and unfulfilled promises.
The Megarhetorics of Global Development examines rhetorical strategies used by multinational corporations, NGOs, governments, banks, and others to further their own economic, political, or technological agendas. These wide-ranging case studies employ rhetorical theory, globalization scholarship, and analysis of cultural and historical dynamics to offer in-depth critiques of development practices and their material effects. By deconstructing megarhetorics, at both the local and global level, and following their paths of mobilization and diffusion, the concepts of \u201cprogress\u201d and \u201cgrowth\u201d can be reevaluated, with the end goal of encouraging self-sustaining and ethical outcomes.
The Megarhetorics of Global Development examines rhetorical strategies used by multinational corporations, NGOs, governments, banks, and others to further their own economic, political, or technological agendas. These wide-ranging case studies employ rhetorical theory, globalization scholarship, and analysis of cultural and historical dynamics to offer in-depth critiques of development practices and their material effects. By deconstructing megarhetorics, at both the local and global level, and following their paths of mobilization and diffusion, the concepts of \u201cprogress\u201d and \u201cgrowth\u201d can be reevaluated, with the end goal of encouraging self-sustaining and ethical outcomes.
Reviews / Votes
A progressive and substantial contribution to scholarship in rhetorical studies, The Megarhetorics of Global Development is an analysis of the discourse of global development-'development' in the broadest sense of the term: economic and technological as well as cultural and geopolitical. The chapters in this collection examine the effects and material consequences of the megarhetorics of development as well as the discourse that rhetors and others employ to structure arguments for (and sometimes against) development projects. This is an outstanding contribution to rhetorical studies, and I strongly recommend it to students and scholars of rhetoric. It is likely to open up whole new paths of investigation for future scholars. * Gary A. Olson, Idaho State University * This edited volume comes on the scene with a sense of urgency. Through hard-hitting, lucid, yet carefully textured analyses, the authors of these impressive chapters explore rhetoric and economy in development policy, the advertising of multinationals, NGO appeals, documentary filmmaking, and many more sites. Readers will find here provocative critique as well as openings for resistance and creative possibility in the world of transnational capitalism. * Susan C. Jarratt, University of California, Irvine *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Pittsburgh PA
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
9 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 230 mm
Width: 150 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-8229-6172-7 (9780822961727)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Rebecca Dingo | J. Blake Scott
The Megarhetorics of Global Development
E-Book
01/2012
Princeton University Press
€53.99
Available for download
Persons
Rebecca Dingo is an assistant professor in the Department of English and the Department of Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Missouri. She is the coeditor of The Megarhetorics of Global Development.