Theories and Histories of Globalisation and Development

Full course description

This course explores how major trends in globalisation are transforming existing patterns of capitalism, inequality and governance. It does so by focusing on twelve of the most influential and controversial concepts that scholars have developed to make sense of these phenomena: the Global South, decolonisation, international development, global governance, modernisation, dependency, neoliberalism, the developmental state, human development, post-development, sustainable development, and global development. Although the course takes a loosely chronological approach, the aim throughout is to marry historical and contemporary perspectives by prompting students to reflect on the enduring relevance of each concept. Similarly, the aim is to understand theory in practice. Development studies (as we shall see) often seeks to produce knowledge that can be applied through policy and practical interventions, and we'll spend time looking at how these interventions have been justified and critiqued. 

In the last part of the course, students will engage in debates on three questions that cut across many of the issues highlighted above: what has the rise of the 'South' achieved for global development? Can the ‘development industry’ be redeemed? And what role do states and markets play in bringing about equitable and sustainable progress in the 21st century?