Approaches to Development in Comparative Perspective: Theories, Policies, Practices

The aim of this course is to introduce students to development theories and related policies and practices through a comparative approach, and apply this to contemporary global development issues. A critical understanding of historical, conceptual, empirical and theoretical foundations of development thinking (modernisation; dependency; neo-liberalism; post-development), key actors (e.g., governments, IMF, World Bank, WTO, CSOs, NGOs, UN), and empirical aspects (poverty, inequality, social justice) will be generated by use of primary texts from the key schools of thought and selected secondary sources. The concept of “sustainable development” will be critically discussed by reference to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (“Sustainable Development Goals”), adopted in September 2015. On this basis, depending on course participants’ interests, “education” or “food” will serve as a case study to compare the implications of the different theoretical approaches for development policies and practices.

The sessions will be composed of a mixture of introductory lectures to the topics, discussion, participatory group activities, student presentations, and audio-visual and documentary materials. 

Key Literature
Peet, R. & Hartwick, E. (2015) Theories of Development (3rd ed.), Guilford.
Willis, K. (2011) Theories and Practices of Development (2nd ed.), London: Routledge.