States of Development: On the Primacy of Politics in Development

by Adrian Leftwich

The spectre of poverty, disease and ignorance still haunts much of the developing world today. But not everywhere. Some societies, such as Botswana, Mauritius, Malaysia and Korea, are successfully transforming the material life of the majority of their citizens, though not always without costs in terms of human rights. Others, such as Peru, Zaire, India and the Philippines, appear incapable of doing so. In this widely comparative study, Adrian Leftwich examines why this has happened.
Focusing on the politics and states of a wide range of developing societies, Leftwich generates a model of the 'developmental state' as a particular sub-type of state in the modern world, and argues the case for the primacy of politics in development. He challenges a number of contemporary orthodoxies in western overseas development policy, especially the current insistence that democracy is a necessary condition for development.
States of Development will be essential reading for students and scholars in development studies and politics.

Genres: Politics

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 21, 2000

Reviews

[Tobi ﾄﾋﾞ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book's emphasis on inclusivity, sustainability, and the human impact of economic decisions adds a compassionate and ethical dimension to the analysis. It not only dissects macroeconomic trends but also delves into the stories of individuals and communities affected by these global forces, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the human experience within the realm of economics. Although intense and now quite outdated, this was good to use to provide historical context for my studies.