Critical Development Politics Working Group

Critical Development Politics is interested in the phenomena of development (not ‘international development’ per se) as something relevant to all countries wherever they are located on the planet and wherever they stand in terms of the standard ‘development’ indicators.  We are therefore sceptical of the notion that there is a sub-set of countries in need of development whilst for others this has been achieved.  At the same time, our focus is not simply on development as a set of outcomes to be realised (e.g. the so-called ‘good society’, however that is defined) but rather we are attentive to the political nature of the development discourse and seek to understand how this operates (e.g. development as a form of rule).  Lastly, we place heavy emphasis on the importance of context, particularity and place, not ruling out the possibility of universals in respect of politics and development but being cautious about them.  Scholars working in the field of Critical Development Politics will often have area expertise (e.g. South and South East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa) and make contributions to comparative literature.  However, they are as likely to be making connections in respect of politics and development across conventional disciplinary and geographical boundaries.

GIC colleagues working on related topics include:

Current projects within this theme include:

The Quipu project that is an interactive, multimedia documentary on the impact of unconsented sterilisation in Peru.  It collects and shares the testimonies of individuals affected by unconsented sterilisation through a dedicated free phoneline and online interactive platform. 

Past events related to this theme:

One day Workshop, University of Bristol, June 21, 2017 - Global Challenges and the Challenge of Development:  What Future for the Development Project?

Co-hosted by the Global Insecurities Centre and the International Development Research Group of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Papers were given by:

• Jeffrey Henderson, Professor of International Development, SPAIS, University of Bristol
• Eric Herring, Professor of World Politics, SPAIS, University of Bristol
• Ambreena Manji, Professor of Land Law and Development, School of Law and Politics, Cardiff University
• Stylianos Moshonos, Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Antwerp
• Mladen Pupavac and Vanessa Pupavac, School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham
• Rosie Walters, PhD Candidate, SPAIS, University of Bristol
• Mark Duffield, Professor Emeritus, will be with us for the day and will be a member of our panel discussion.