MACMILLAN Investigating Developmentalism: Notions of Development in the Social Sphere

Compiling various strands of the dis/enchantment with development discourse in contemporary South Asia, with specific focus on the cases from India, this edited book brings together anthropologists, sociologists, economists, and historians to refresh the understanding of development. It introduces ways of thinking “otherwise” about development discourse and what the contributors term “developmentalism”―the social enchantment with development. The cultural discourse of development in contemporary South Asia manifests not only in the official programs of state agencies, but in cinema, television, and mass media. Dear to various stakeholders―from government leaders and manufacturers to consumers and the electorate―is the axiom of a “development(al) society.” Organized to bridge familiar understandings of development with radical ways of thinking through developmentalism, this book holds value for those engaged in the anthropology and sociology of development, development studies, South Asian studies, as well as for development professionals working for state and non-governmental organizations. Review “This book examines development as collective dream, theatre, and performance--focusing on the spectacular case of India and "digital India" as the latest development dream instalment. It does so in engaging and deeply probing ways, shedding light on emotional subtexts and undercurrents of developmentalism and modernism, policies and projects, which matter more than is often acknowledged.” (Jan Nederveen Pieterse, Duncan Mellichamp Distinguished Professor Global Studies and Sociology, University of California, USA) “The drama of development is in full swing – tragedy is seen as comedy, comedy collapses into chaos. But there are streams of creativity showing glimpses of a different future. The authors of this work make an audacious statement about much of that story.” (Manoranjan Mohanty, Distinguished Professor and Editor, Social Change, Council for Social Development, New Delhi, India) “This much-needed book sees developmentalism as a protracted social dream turned nightmare. Working through the real, unreal and hyper-real of developmentalism and the (il)legitimacy of its enchanting implications, the book develops what has remained largely underdeveloped in ‘development studies’ and the ‘anthropology of development’: the cultural studies perspective to developmentalism.” (Anup Dhar, Professor of Philosophy, Ambedkar University Delhi, India)        From the Back Cover “This book examines development as collective dream, theatre, and performance--focusing on the spectacular case of India and "digital India" as the latest development dream installment. It does so in engaging and deeply probing ways, shedding light on emotional subtexts and undercurrents of developmentalism and modernism, policies and projects, which matter more than is often acknowledged.” -Jan Nederveen Pieterse, Duncan Mellichamp Distinguished Professor of Global Studies and Sociology, University of California, USA   Compiling various strands of the dis/enchantment with development discourse in contemporary South Asia, with specific focus on the cases from India, this edited book brings together anthropologists, sociologists, economists, and historians to refresh the understanding of development. It introduces ways of thinking “otherwise” about development discourse and what the contributors term “developmentalism”―the social enchantment with development. The cultural discourse of development in contemporary South Asia manifests not only in the official programs of state agencies, but in cinema, television, and mass media. Dear to various stakeholders―from government leaders and manufacturers to consumers and the electorate―is the axiom of a “development(al) society.” Organized to bridge familiar understandings of development with radical ways of thinking through developmentalism, this book holds value for t