Product Description

'Overseas aid' and 'international development' are catch-all terms that cover a multitude of activities - and abuses. Building dams in India, planting trees in Burkina Faso and rescuing street children in Brazil are images of development with which we can all identify. But what few people realize is that the terms aid and development often mask confusion, contradiction, and even downright deceit. This guide explains what 'development' actually is - and explores its political and economic roots in history. It shows what can happen in the name of development and argues for a more organic, social approach with those it seeks to serve as equal partners in the process.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #71811 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Review
'I sincerely hope this No-Nonsense Guide toInternational Development reaches and informs anew section of thinking people across the world.Let as many of them as possible become supportersof and participants in the new politics of transformation.'Medha Patkar, Narmada Valley People's Movement, India.

From the Back Cover
'A splendid new series of pocketable guides to issue politics ... rigorously clear.' The Guardian, London

'The No-Nonsense Guides target those topics that a large army of voters cares about, but that politicos evade.' The Independent, London

Building dams in India, planting trees in Burkina Faso, rescuing street children in Brazil - these are images of aid and international development with which we can all identify. What few people realize is that the terms 'overseas aid' and 'international development' mask confusion, contradiction, and even downright deceit. All too often what passes for development improves life for the better-off, while actively hurting the very people the venture was meant to support. In this No-Nonsense Guide Maggie Black exposes the hypocrisy and reveals a more accurate picture of what is happening in development's name, arguing for a process to be put in place that truly defends the interests of poor people.

About the Author
Maggie Black has written books for OUP, UNICEF, and Oxfam. She has worked as a consultant for UNICEF, Anti-Sl;avery International, and WaterAid, among others, and has written for the Guardian, The Economist and BBC World Service.

Customer Reviews

A true guide!
In this book, Maggie Black, a leading writer on development issues, convincingly reveals the flaws of the prevailing views on and practices in international development. But she does not stop here, drawing on a vast array of literature, documents and studies as well as a wide and profound personal experience, she forcefully shows new and feasible ways on how to improve the living conditions of millions of people who have to make do with not more than one Euro per day. In this sense, this book is a true and welcoming guide.