Sociology Of Development

This text provides a comprehensive introduction to the latest debates in the sociology of development, linking theoretical and empirical issues of social change primarily though not exclusively through reference to the Third World. This book covers general conceptions of modernisation and underdevelopment and points to new attempts at their synthesis as well as exploring the policy implications of different development models.

The Sociology of Development Handbook gathers essays that reflect the range of debates in development sociology and in the interdisciplinary study and practice of development. The essays address the pressing intellectual challenges of today, including internal and international migration, transformation of political regimes, globalization, changes in household and family formations, gender dynamics, technological change, population and economic growth, environmental sustainability, peace and war, and the production and reproduction of social and economic inequality.

Conceived as a response to the economic naïvety and implicit metropolitan bias of many 1950s and 60s studies of ‘the sociology of development’ , this volume, first published in 1975, provides actual field studies and theoretical reviews to indicate the directions which a conceptually more adequate study of developing societies should take. Much of the book reflects strongly the influence of Andre Gunder Frank, but the contributors adopt a critical attitude to his ideas, applying them in empirical situations within such African and American countries as Kenya, Guyana, Tanzania and Peru. Others pursue the lines of enquiry opened up by Latin American theories of economic ‘dependency’ and by the new school of French economic anthropology.

The term 'development' originally referred only to economic growth. Later, it passed through paradigmatic shifts to assume an inclusive conceptual status into which merged the processes of development in economic, social, and political aspects of society. The characteristics of development are akin to those of modernization. Both determine each other. A society would not proceed on the path of development unless it adopts what are considered as modern values. Today, the planning for development is concerned, not only with augmenting quality production, but also ensuring sustainability of development. Sociology of development is the field of study which tends to understand the interface of society and economy. This book explores how both cultural-structural development and economic development influence each other in India. Apart from the concept and paradigms of development, important Indian issues are discussed, including: the theories of development and underdevelopment, paths and agencies of development, structure, culture and development, urbanization and development, technology and development, economic reforms in India, globalization, entrepreneurship, and modernization.

In this exciting and challenging work, Norman Long brings together years of work and thought in development studies to provide a key text for guiding future development research and practice. Using case studies and empirical material from Africa and Latin America, Development Sociology focuses on the theoretical and methodological foundations of an actor-oriented and social constructionist form of analysis. This style of analysis is opposed to the traditional structuralist/institutional analysis which is often applied in development studies. With an accessible mix of general debate, critical literature reviews and original case study materials this work covers a variety of key development issues. Among many important topics discussed, the author looks at commoditisation, small-scale enterprise and social capital, knowledge interfaces, networks and power, globalisation and localisation as well as policy formulation and planned intervention processes. This book should be read for its desire to pursue a form of analysis that helps us to understand better (and more realistically) the kinds of development interventions and social transformations that have characterised the second half of the twentieth century and will no doubt continue to characterise future development studies.

Originally published in 1974 Sociology and Development are a selection papers from the British Sociological Association’s conference on development. The book combines both theoretical discussion and empirical material drawn from both urban and rural areas in Africa, Latin America, China, the USSR and Great Britain, as well as from specific studies on the mass media and the health services. Above all, the papers contribute to a greater understanding of reality in dependent, less developed societies, and so modify some of the over-simplifications introduced by the sweeping vision of the new theorists.

First Published in 1988. This stimulating and original book examines how sociological theory helps us to understand development. The author, writing with clarity and from long practical experience in the field of development, aims to show how different sociological theories cast light on the process of development both in the 'Third World' and in the 'Developed World'. He pays particular attention to the way in which that theory reflects the social, economic, political and racial assumptions of the time in which it originates. Tony Barnett maintains that the development process requires an understanding of the economic, cultural and political ways in which people organize their lives. This is facilitated throughout the book with the use of carefully selected and wide-ranging examples, quotations and case-studies which support and amplify ideas in the narrative - producing a truly interactive text that fully involves the reader. Sociology and Development is as illuminating about the developed world as it is about the underdeveloped world. But, as the author asserts, we are all citizens of the same world, increasingly - although unequally - sharing common resources, ideas and experiences. Sociology can tell us about the origins of this inequality and how it is maintained. Indeed, it is the book's main argument that an understanding of the relationship between sociology and the analysis of development can tell us much about whether, how and why development has occurred. Sociology and Development will be of great value to students of Development Studies, Third World Studies, Area Studies, and those wanting to supplement their work in economics and other development-rel,ated disciplines in both the social and environmental sciences. It is also a thought-provoking, entertaining and enlightening introduction for non-specialists.

Taken from a series of short topic books designed to cover the requirements of A level sociology syllabuses, this book looks at development. It includes a selection of reading and documentary extracts, including statistical and quantitative data where relevant.