In this innovative book, Ilan Kapoor and Gavin Fridell rethink development politics psychoanalytically, investigating its unconscious. Whereas mainstream development politics is organized around stability and rationality, psychoanalysis points to disharmony and irrationality, helping to explain the development subject's often self-defeating behaviour -- for example being seduced by growth and shopping, despite being aware of the inherent perils of inequality and climate crisis. Rethinking Development Politics reassesses development in relation to three significant schools of thought: Modernization; (neo)Marxist political economy; and Postdevelopment/Decoloniality. It exposes how all three disavow the unconscious temptations of development, resulting in the rationalization of the market, the undervaluation of fantasy and fetishism, and the advocacy of an uncritical politics of authenticity. The book distinguishes the psychoanalytic approach from its predecessors by focusing on contemporary case studies, including digital and green modernization, trade, neopopulism, anti-racist training, and radical politics in present-day Iran. Crucially, these case studies speak to the extent to which the unconscious may be a political resource for reconfiguring development politics to put the subaltern first. Proposing a distinctive method of inquiry, Rethinking Development Politics will be of great interest to students, academics, and researchers in development studies, psychology, sociology, international relations, political science, and peace and conflict studies. Its critical analysis will also be of great use to global agency officials, corporate policy-makers, public policy institutions, and activist and advocacy organizations.

This title represents the most forward thinking and comprehensive review of development economics currently available.

Development theory is at a crossroads. Dominant theories such as modernization and dependency have run their course. In Rethinking Development one of the preeminent political and social theorists of our time offers his view of the direction of the discipline. Using major themes such as the relation between development and democracy, the problem of innovation and marginality, Professor Apter offers an innovative comparative study of development. Rethinking Development takes a new look at scientific, romantic and teleological formulations of development, showing how conventional concepts of development prevent us from seeing its negative consequences. It argues that development will generate democracy, but not e

Development and underdevelopment are the main determinants of life-chances worldwide, arguably more so than social class. Marxism, as the underlying theory for social revolution, needs to have a clear understanding of the dynamics of development and social progress. Exploring the intersection of Marxism and development, this book looks at Marx’s original conception of capitalist development and his later engagement with under-developed Russia. The author also reviews Lenin’s early critique of the Russian populists' rejection of capitalism compared with his later analysis of imperialism as a brake on development in the non-European world. The book then considers Rosa Luxemburg, who arguably provides a bridge between these theorists and those that follow with her analysis of imperialism as a necessity for capitalism to incorporate non-capitalist lands. Turning then to the non-European world, the author examines the Latin American dependency theories, the post-development school and the recent indigenous development theories advanced by Andean Marxism. Finally, Munck addresses the relationship between globalization and development. Does this relationship suggest that it has not been capitalism but a lack of capitalism that has led to under-development?

Development has remained elusive in Africa. Through theoretical contributions and case studies focusing on Southern Africa’s former white settler states, South Africa and Zimbabwe, this volume responds to the current need to rethink (and unthink) development in the region. The authors explore how Africa can adapt Western development models suited to its political, economic, social and cultural circumstances, while rejecting development practices and discourses based on exploitative capitalist and colonial tendencies. Beyond the legacies of colonialism, the volume also explores other factors impacting development, including regional politics, corruption, poor policies on empowerment and indigenization, and socio-economic and cultural barriers.

Development theory is at a crossroads. Dominant theories such as modernization and dependency have run their course. In Rethinking Development one of the preeminent political and social theorists of our time offers his view of the direction of the discipline. Using major themes such as the relation between development and democracy, the problem of innovation and marginality, Professor Apter offers an innovative comparative study of development. Rethinking Development takes a new look at scientific, romantic and teleological formulations of development, showing how conventional concepts of development prevent us from seeing its negative consequences. It argues that development will generate democracy, but not e

Analyses the relationship between development and democracy, the problems of Innovation and marginality, and questions of violence and governability. Emphasises different political systems and the advantages and disadvantages they possess in trying to promote innovative change. Identifies structural problems which arise in the course of development, and may generate violence and protest.