The History of Development
From Western Origins to Global Faith
3rd Edition
Published on 15. October 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-84813-189-7 (ISBN)
Description
This is the third edition of a classic development text, which has both defined and changed its field.
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 completely 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.
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 completely 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.
Reviews / Votes
'This is an impressive account of the rise and demise of the belief system that has pushed mankind to the brink of disaster.'Wolfgang Sachs, author of The Development Dictionary and Fair Future
Praise for previous editions:
'If you want to understand the ideological forces that have shaped North-South relations for half a century, you need this remarkable book.'
Susan George
'Compelling and exciting reading ... Rist's book, written with deliciously mild irony, is an account of the most crucial moments in which the rites of a belief embraced by millions were elaborated and canonized.'
European Journal of Development Research
'This book does an outstanding job.'
Journal of Developing Areas
'This book is one of the most astute of its genre available today... exact in its scholarship and profound in its clear account of the philosophies and consequences of the Western example.'
Rapport
More details
Series
Edition
3rd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84813-189-7 (9781848131897)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Book
04/2014
4th Edition
Zed Books Ltd
€24.00
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
Book
10/2002
2nd Edition
Zed Books Ltd
€43.51
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Gilbert Rist is a Professor at the Graduate Institute of Development Studies (IUED) in Geneva. He previously taught in Geneva, and spent several years as Director of the Centre Europe-Tiers Monde. His other publications include La Mondialisation des anti-societes (1997); La Culture, otage du developpement? (1992); La Mythologie programme (1992); Le Nord perdu (1992) and Il etait une fois le development (1986). The History of Development was his first book to be translated into English, and has also been published in Spanish and Italian.
Content
Preface to the Third Edition
Introduction
1. Definitions of Development
2. Metamorphoses of a Western Myth
3. The Making of a World System
4. The Invention of Development
5. The International Doctrine and Institutions Take Root
6. Modernization Poised between History and Prophecy
7. The Periphery and the Understanding of History
8. Self-Reliance: The Communal Past as a Model for the Future
9. The Triumph of Third Worldism
10. The Environment, or the New Nature of 'Development'
11. A Mixture of Realism and Fine Sentiments
12. The Postmodern Illusion: Globalization as a Simulacrum of 'Development'
13. The Fight against Poverty and the Millennium Development Goals
14. Post-Development: Decroissance and the Changing Economic Paradigm
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Introduction
1. Definitions of Development
2. Metamorphoses of a Western Myth
3. The Making of a World System
4. The Invention of Development
5. The International Doctrine and Institutions Take Root
6. Modernization Poised between History and Prophecy
7. The Periphery and the Understanding of History
8. Self-Reliance: The Communal Past as a Model for the Future
9. The Triumph of Third Worldism
10. The Environment, or the New Nature of 'Development'
11. A Mixture of Realism and Fine Sentiments
12. The Postmodern Illusion: Globalization as a Simulacrum of 'Development'
13. The Fight against Poverty and the Millennium Development Goals
14. Post-Development: Decroissance and the Changing Economic Paradigm
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index