Deconstructing Development Discourse: Buzzwords and Fuzzwords

Andrea Cornwall, Deborah Eade

ISBN 10: 1853397067 / ISBN 13: 9781853397066

Published by Practical Action Publishing 01/p /01 S, 2010

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Bibliographic Details

Title: Deconstructing Development Discourse: ...

Publisher: Practical Action Publishing 01/p /01 S

Publication Date: 2010

Binding: Soft cover

Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis:

Writing from diverse locations, the contributors to this volume examine some of the key terms in current development discourse. Why should language matter to those who are doing development? Surely, there are more urgent things to do than sit around mulling over semantics? But language does matter. Whether emptied of their original meaning, essentially vacuous, or hotly contested, the language of development not only shapes our imagined worlds, but also justifies interventions in real people's lives. If development buzzwords conceal ideological differences or sloppy thinking, then the process of constructive deconstruction make it possible to re-examine what have become catch-all terms like civil society and poverty reduction, or bland aid-agency terms such as partnership or empowerment. Such engagement is far more than a matter of playing word games. The reflections included here raise major questions about how we think about development itself.

The 30 contributors to this volume include Cassandra Balchin, Srilatha Batliwala, Robert Chambers, Neera Chandhoke, Ben Fine, Shalmali Guttal, Pablo Alejandro Leal, Islah Jad, Thandika Mkandawire, John Samuel, John Toye, and Peter Uvin.

Review:

"A sparkling addition to the student's tool-kit, and a sobering call for renewed thinking to long-time development thinkers and practitioners."--Gita Sen, Professor, Centre for Public Policy

"Timely and emancipatory and long overdue, this is a dissection of how vocabularies trap us. A must-read for those who are working for justice in the public domain."--Devaki Jain, Member South Commission, founder member

"This book goes a long way towards demonstrating the emptiness of development jargon, unveiling the naked emperor."--Firoze Manji, Editor in Chief

"With a lightness of touch that belies a deadly seriousness of intent, this book is both a useful guide and a powerful antidote to the dangerous oversimplifications of twenty-first century development policy."--David Lewis, Professor of Social Policy and Development

"In this crucial text for researchers and professionals interested in "development," the contributors make a compelling case for the need to consider how key words and phrases, such as "citizenship," "empowerment," "human rights," and "peace building" are use (and abused) by individuals and institutions." Summing Up: Highly Recommended"--Choice