Challenges of the Developing World

by Howard Handelman, Rex Brynen

Overview

The updated ninth edition of Challenges of the Developing World examines political, social, and economic development in the diverse countries of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. In doing so, it explores the political economy of policymaking, investigates the uncertain dynamics of democratization, highlights the impact of ethnic and religious tensions on developing countries, and looks at revolution and military intervention in politics. Key issues such as the environment, sustainable development, globalization, corruption, rural and urban poverty, and gender receive particular attention. Throughout, the book also highlights the contribution of different analytical perspectives within political science and development studies. Clearly written and frequently illustrated with examples, Challenges of the Developing World is designed to provide the reader with knowledge of the essential concepts, relationships, and approaches in a way that will be of lasting value.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538116678
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	01/14/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
File size:	31 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Howard Handelman was professor emeritus of political science at the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee. He specialized in the politics of developing nations, especially Latin America.


Rex Brynen is professor of political science at McGill University, where he specializes in Middle East politics, peacebuilding, and humanitarian operations.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Underdevelopment
Developing World Commonalities: The Nature of Underdevelopment
The Causes of Underdevelopment
2. The Political Economy of the Developing World
The Role of the State
Trade and Industrialization Strategies
Growth with Equity
Economic Development and the Environment
The Search for Sustainable Development
Finding the Right Mix
The Effects of Globalization on the Developing World
3. The Surge and Partial Retreat of Democracy
Democracy Defined
Democratic Transition and Consolidation
Authoritarian Beginnings
The Third Wave and Its Effect on the Developing World
International Causes and Consequences of the Third Wave
Prerequisites of Democracy?
Democratic Consolidation Explained
How Do Democracies Perform? Public Policy Compared
Improving the Quality of Democracy
4. Corruption as an Obstacle to Development
Definition and Types of Corruption
The Costs of Corruption
The Causes of Corruption
Combating Corruption
5. Religion and Politics
Religion in the Developing World
Religion, Modernity, and Secularization
The Future of Religion and Politics in the Developing World
6. Politics of Cultural Pluralism and Ethnic Conflict
Defining Ethnicity
Ethnic and State Boundaries
Types of Ethnic and Cultural Divisions
Dependency, Modernization, and Ethnic Conflict
Levels of Interethnic Conflict
Outcomes and Resolutions
Ethnic Pluralism and Democracy
7. Gender and Development
The Status of Women in the Developing World
Gender and Politics
Modernization and the Status of Women
Gender and Democracy
8. The Politics of the Rural and Urban Poor
The Rural Poor: The Peasantry in the Developing World
Rural Class Structures
Peasant Politics
The Politics of Agrarian Reform
The Future of the Rural Poor
Rapid Urbanization and the Politics of the Urban Poor
The Developing World’s Urban Explosion
The Social and Political Consequence of Urban Growth
The Politics of the Urban Poor: Conflicting Images
Forms of Political Expression Among the Urban Poor
The Role of the Rural and Urban Poor in Democratic Change
9. Revolutionary Change
Defining Revolution
Underlying Causes of Revolution
Levels of Popular Support
Peasants as Revolutionaries
Revolutionary Leadership
Revolutionaries in Power
Revolutionary Change and Democracy
10. Soldiers and Politics
The Causes of Military Interventions
Progressive Soldiers and Military Conservatives
The Types and Goals of Military Regimes
The Accomplishments and Failures of Military Regimes
Military Withdrawal from Politics
The Military as a Deciding Factor in the Arab Spring
New Roles for the Armed Forces
Democracy and the Military

Editorial Reviews

A sophisticated, thorough introduction to the politics of the developing world that makes good use of current research and is suitable for upper level undergraduate students.

Brian Kessel

An excellent and comprehensive introduction to the politics of developing nations.

Angela Wolfe

Challenges of the Developing World is a highly remarkable text. It is what students of development have been waiting for – a thoughtful, comprehensive, critical, and engaging study of issues and challenges in the developing world. In the end, this well-documented, elegantly written, and thought-provoking text is a wonderful introduction to the field.

Michael Cairo