Poverty and Neoliberalism
Persistence and Reproduction in the Global South
1st Edition
Published on 20. April 2007
256 pages
978-1-84964-167-8 (ISBN)
Description
Why do so many people worldwide suffer hunger and poverty when there is enough food and other resources globally to prevent it? This book shows how famine and food insecurity are an essential part of modern capitalism.
Although trade, debt relief and development initiatives are important, they do not alter the structure of the global economy and poverty continues to be created by processes like privatisation, trade liberalisation and market reform. Despite the 'end poverty' rhetoric of the World Bank and the G8, these high levels of poverty sustain Western wealth and power. Is there any hope for change? Using case studies from Egypt and North Africa, Nigeria, Sudan and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, Ray Bush illustrates that there is resistance to neoliberal policies, and that struggles over land, mining and resources can shape real alternatives to existing globalisation.
Although trade, debt relief and development initiatives are important, they do not alter the structure of the global economy and poverty continues to be created by processes like privatisation, trade liberalisation and market reform. Despite the 'end poverty' rhetoric of the World Bank and the G8, these high levels of poverty sustain Western wealth and power. Is there any hope for change? Using case studies from Egypt and North Africa, Nigeria, Sudan and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, Ray Bush illustrates that there is resistance to neoliberal policies, and that struggles over land, mining and resources can shape real alternatives to existing globalisation.
Reviews / Votes
'This is a truly refreshing and engaging book on neo-liberalism and its discontents in the Global South' -- Adebayo Olukoshi, Executive Secretary, CODESRIA 'Unveils the conceptual uses and abuses of 'poverty' and breaks new ground in the way we think about class and other social struggles in Africa' -- Patrick Bond, Director, University of KwaZulu-Natal Centre for Civil Society, Durban, South Africa 'Ray Bush explains eloquently and powerfully the persistence and deepening of poverty in Africa' -- John Loxley, Professor of Economics and Research Co-ordinator, Global Political Economy Program, University of Manitoba, Canada 'A hard-headed and systematic critique of the way the goal of development has been replaced by hand-wringing about 'poverty' has been badly needed. Ray Bush's cogent and detailed analysis is one no student - and no 'anti-poverty' campaigner, however celebrated - will be able to ignore' -- Colin Leys, Emeritus Professor at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada, and author of The Rise and Fall of Development TheoryMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
3 b&w maps, 3 b&w figures
ISBN-13
978-1-84964-167-8 (9781849641678)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
04/2007
Pluto Press
€126.48
Article exhausted; check different version
Book
04/2007
Pluto Press
€39.70
Article exhausted; check different version
Person
Ray Bush is Professor of African Studies and Development Politics, University of Leeds. He is the author of Poverty and Neoliberalism (Pluto, 2007).
Content
Introduction
1. Framing Poverty and Neo-Liberalism: The Middle East and North Africa
2. Commissioning Africa for Globalisation: Blair and the G8's Project for the World Poor
3. Labour Across Frontier? Capitalism's Struggle for Profit and Order
4. Land Poverty and Politics
5. Wealth and Poverty: Mining and the Curse of Resources?
6. Securing Food and Famine
7. Resisting Poverty and Neo-Liberalism
Notes
Index
1. Framing Poverty and Neo-Liberalism: The Middle East and North Africa
2. Commissioning Africa for Globalisation: Blair and the G8's Project for the World Poor
3. Labour Across Frontier? Capitalism's Struggle for Profit and Order
4. Land Poverty and Politics
5. Wealth and Poverty: Mining and the Curse of Resources?
6. Securing Food and Famine
7. Resisting Poverty and Neo-Liberalism
Notes
Index
