Routledge Understanding Development Economics: Its Challenge to Development Studies (Economics as Social Theory)

Important parts of development practice, especially in key institutions such as the World Bank, are dominated by economists. In contrast, Development Studies is largely based upon multidisciplinary work in which anthropologists, human geographers, sociologists, and others play important roles. Hence, a tension has arisen between the claims made by Development Economics to be a scientific, measurable discipline prone to wide usage of mathematical modelling, and the more discursive, practice based approach favoured by Development Studies. The aim of this book is to show how the two disciplines have interacted, as well as how they differ. This is crucial in forming an understanding of development work, and to thinking about why policy recommendations can often lead to severe and continuing problems in developing countries. This book introduces Development Economics to those coming from two different but linked perspectives; economists and students of development who are not economists. In both explaining and critiquing Development Economics, the book is able to suggest the implications of these findings for Development Studies, and more broadly, for development policy and its outcomes. Review 'By exploring the often tetchy and conflict-ridden boundaries between 'pure' economics and development practice, this book sheds important light on the strengths and weaknesses of each, and should help both sides understand and learn better from each other.' ― Duncan Green, Oxfam ‘Adam Fforde is a long-standing sceptic when it comes to development economics, and in the wake of the global economic crisis he has written an important book that not only challenges the orthodoxies of development economics but also shows what development studies can learn by challenging the orthodoxies of development economics. Students of development economics and development studies will both benefit from engaging with the central arguments of Understanding Development Economics. It is a book that deserves to be widely read.’ ― Haroon Akram-Lodhi, Trent University, Canada ‘Don’t be deceived by appearances: not only is this a comprehensive, scholarly, and practical textbook, it’s also a rapprochement between the disciplines of development economics and development studies. These two approaches to development are too often separated ideologically, epistemologically and methodologically. Fforde’s informed mediation is both timely and welcome. A ‘must read’ for undergraduates, postgraduates and professional scholars with an interest in international development. Prepare to be challenged!’ ―Peter Case, James Cook University, Australia "Understanding Development Economics is a valuable contribution to some of the perennial controversies that continue to inform its practitioners." ― Bill Lucarellia, University of Western Sydney, Australia "It is a sceptical examination of development economics and its epistemological and normative underpinnings from a trained economist, written for economists and development studies readers. It is also a book that, while focused on development economics, in various places gives a sense of how (at least some) development studies academics think."― Terence Wood, The Australian National University About the Author Adam Fforde is a part-time Professorial Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, Australia, and he holds an honorary position at the Asia Institute of the University of Melbourne, Australia.