Development and Social Change. A Global Perspective. Sixth Edition

by Philip D. McMichael

The distribution of the world’s material wealth is far from even. And while most of the western world may be accustomed to a commercial culture, there are other cultures (e.g., Amish, Islamic, peasant) that are not commercial or are uncomfortable with commercial definition. Because cultural meaning is not universally defined through the market, "globalization," as it is currently understood, is not necessarily a universal aspiration. Why then, is there so much talk of globalization? In this Third Edition of Development and Social A Global Perspective , author Philip McMichael provides a narrative of how development came to be institutionalized as an international project, pursued by individual nation-states in the post-colonial era. This new edition has been updated and revised to incorporate the treatments of fundamentalism, terrorism, the AIDS crisis, and the commercialization of services via the World Trade Organization. The evident failure of many countries to fulfill this promise of development and the world’s growing awareness of environmental limits have forced a reevaluation of the development enterprise. Development and Social Change traces the changing fortunes of development efforts, the shortcomings of which have produced two responses. One is to advocate a thoroughly global market to expand trade and spread the wealth. The other is to reevaluate the economic emphasis and to recover a sense of cultural community. Features of this A world-historical perspective that situates globalization in the declining fortunes of the postwar development project. A political perspective that views development and globalization as practices managed by historic elite groupings, as mechanisms of power and world ordering. An emphasis on resistance and social movements as actors shaping the meaning and direction of both development and globalization, as they impact societies around the world. A series of case studies that allow in-depth examination of development/globalization dilemmas and paradoxes. Development and Social Change is the first book to present students with a coherent explanation of how "globalization" took root in the public discourse and how "globalization" represents a shift away from development as a way to think about non-western societies. This is an ideal text for undergraduate and graduate students studying globalization, social development, and social change in Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, and International Studies. To read a sample chapter from Development and Social Change click on "Additional Materials" in the left column under "About This Book" or simply click here.

Genres: Sociology, Economics, Nonfiction, History, Politics, Textbooks, International Development

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Killthehumans Savetheforest · Rating 5 out of 5]

recommended. crash course in NGOs, World Bank, the UN, freemarket, economics with a human face.

These people should read it:
1. Anyone who wants to know what the G20 protests are against.
2. Anyone in business who has or wants a soul.
3. Anthropologists
4. Politicians
5. Middle class white people who feel like "international aid" is the white man's burden to save those pooah pooah POC from their inability to "fend for themselves".
i don't know, everyone.

DEAR PUBLISHER:
please change the cover, it's a turnoff. the version with a photo of the blue skyscrapers is also so boring it brings tears to my eyes. if i didn't have to read this for school, i never would have picked it up because of the way it looks.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is probably the best textbook I've ever used.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough overview of the effects of "development projects" on poor nations, environment and people.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you need a good reason to buy local and not go to walmart etc. read this book and educate yourself. it's history, economics, development theory all in one

[Paul Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just excellent!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

very informative, but also very dense. if this weren't for a class I wouldn't have fought my way through it

[Hannah]

wordy wordy wordy- but basically- the "development project" that came from a post wwII world has been good for america- but times change.

If America's modernization strategy isn't seriously revamped within the next 10 years, America will lose global position to china, crash, and burn.

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A totally helpful book for those getting started in the world of global economic development.