Development and Social Change: A Global Perspective

by Philip D. McMichael

In this new Sixth Edition of Development and Social A Global Perspective , author Philip McMichael describes a world undergoing profound social, political, and economic transformations, from the post-World War II era through the present. He tells a story of development in four parts―colonialism, developmentalism, globalization, and sustainability―that shows how the global development "project" has  taken different forms from one historical period to the next. Throughout the text, the underlying conceptual framework is that development is a political construct, created by dominant actors (states, multilateral institutions, corporations and economic coalitions) and based on unequal power arrangements. While rooted in ideas about progress and prosperity, development also produces crises that threaten the health and well-being of millions of people, and sparks organized resistance to its goals and policies. Frequent case studies make the intricacies of globalization concrete, meaningful, and clear. Development and Social A Global Perspective challenges us to see ourselves as global citizens even as we are global consumers.

Genres: Sociology, Economics, Nonfiction, History, Politics, Textbooks, International Development

424 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Killthehumans Savetheforest · Rating 5 out of 5]

recommended. crash course in NGOs, World Bank, the UN, freemarket, economics with a human face.

These people should read it:
1. Anyone who wants to know what the G20 protests are against.
2. Anyone in business who has or wants a soul.
3. Anthropologists
4. Politicians
5. Middle class white people who feel like "international aid" is the white man's burden to save those pooah pooah POC from their inability to "fend for themselves".
i don't know, everyone.

DEAR PUBLISHER:
please change the cover, it's a turnoff. the version with a photo of the blue skyscrapers is also so boring it brings tears to my eyes. if i didn't have to read this for school, i never would have picked it up because of the way it looks.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is probably the best textbook I've ever used.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough overview of the effects of "development projects" on poor nations, environment and people.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you need a good reason to buy local and not go to walmart etc. read this book and educate yourself. it's history, economics, development theory all in one

[Paul Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just excellent!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

very informative, but also very dense. if this weren't for a class I wouldn't have fought my way through it

[Hannah]

wordy wordy wordy- but basically- the "development project" that came from a post wwII world has been good for america- but times change.

If America's modernization strategy isn't seriously revamped within the next 10 years, America will lose global position to china, crash, and burn.

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A totally helpful book for those getting started in the world of global economic development.