Reimagining Development

Description

Imagining a better future is at the heart of development. But mainstream development models are driven by a very narrow, Western-centric set of ideas about what it means to be human. What could be possible if we let ourselves imagine differently?

As our world continues to evolve at breakneck speed and faces unprecedented crises—from the decaying environment to cascading inequality—the need for bold new directions for development has never been greater. Peter Sutoris and Uma Pradhan put a spotlight on the thought-provoking visions of leading theorists, activists and practitioners for rethinking development as a political project towards more equitable futures. Questioning top-down economic frameworks, they explore transformative ideas—from degrowth to indigenous knowledge—that may enable us to address the complexities of our rapidly changing global landscape. They consider how the world can chart a path towards reconciling the moral case for eradicating poverty with these critical perspectives to advance a more ethical approach, one that is sensitive to history, diversity, and the challenges and opportunities of this moment.

If development is to remain relevant today, it must reinvent itself—and finally listen to voices on the ground.

Reviews

‘A refreshing new take on development that moves beyond conventional debates to instead build intellectual bridges that conjure up a new imaginary of a thriving world.’ — Nayanika Mathur, Professor of Anthropology and South Asian Studies, University of Oxford, and author of Paper Tiger: Law, Bureaucracy and the Developmental State in Himalayan India

‘A timely contribution to the ongoing debates over redefining “development”. In an intriguing way, it bridges the gap between longstanding critiques and more recent ideas such as degrowth. An excellent book.’ — Tiina Kontinen, Professor in International Development Studies, University of Jyväskylä

‘This well-argued and very readable book critiques the worst of Development practices with a quiet fury. But it also explores possibilities for fruitful development, combining case studies of yesterday and today with imagined futures, all within a deep moral framework.’ — Michael J. Reiss, Professor of Science Education, University College London

Author(s)

Peter Sutoris is Lecturer in Climate and Development at the University of Leeds, and the author of Visions of Development (also published by Hurst) and Educating for the Anthropocene.

Uma Pradhan is Lecturer in Education and International Development at University College London, and the author of Simultaneous Identities: Language, Education and the Nepali Nation.