Approaches in political science to the study of development

Abstract

It is the argument of this paper that the over‐rigidified trajectories of the diverse conceptual and institutional frameworks that have evolved both internationally and locally over time, and have been varyingly informed by dominant interests, intent, ideology, and fashion, have been dysfunctional to scholarships. While appropriately multidisciplinary in character, moreover, development studies nevertheless is on occasion not the most appropriate framework in which to consider problems and issues that may call for more sharply focused specializations. The plea is accordingly one for pragmatic disciplinary, institutional and paradigmatic flexibility that will enable the successful and creative addressal of contemporary challenges.

Notes

Lecturer in Political Studies, University of the Witwatersrand.