Development Anthropology: Encounters in the Real World

by Riall Nolan

Development Anthropology is a detailed examination of how anthropology is used in international development projects. Written from a practitioner's standpoint, and containing numerous examples and case studies, the book aims to provide students with a comprehensive overview of what development anthropologists do, how they do it, and what problems they encounter in their work. The first part of the book looks at the evolution of both applied anthropology and international development, and how these have been involved with each other since the 1950s. The second, and main, part of the book focuses on how development projects work, and how anthropology is used in their design, implementation, and evaluation. The final section of the book looks at how both development and anthropology must change in order to be more effective. An appendix outlines what students should do to plan a career in development anthropology.

Genres: Anthropology

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 17, 2001

About the author

I'm an anthropologist and writer of adventure thrillers. I set odd and quirky characters down in unusual places, wind them up and watch what they do. Take a look at my Max Donovan adventure series, and tell me what you think.

Reviews

[Kirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice thoughts, nice dream, but ultimately too optimistic. The only use the development industry has for things like "participation," "sustainability," and "cultural appropriateness" is as buzzwords for winning over donors who hate Jeffrey Sachs. Nothing has changed on the ground, and nothing short of actively undermining the industry will do so.