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Abstract
This article is concerned with some initial reflections on the distinctive features of Development Studies (DS). The aim is to trigger further debate, rather than attempt ‘closure’. Discussion of the nature of DS is timely because of the expansion of taught courses at various levels during the previous decade; because of sustained critiques of DS in recent years; and because DS has entered a period of introspection – illustrated by several journal special issues and events – to identify its defining characteristics. The author argues that DS is a worthwhile endeavour (how could a concern with reducing global poverty not be?), but the field of enquiry needs to think about how it addresses heterogeneity in the ‘Third World(s)’ and how it opens space for alternative ‘voices’.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to acknowledge the insightful contributions of the anonymous referees, and joint work with Michael Tribe, University of Bradford (Sumner and Tribe Citation2004; Tribe and Sumner Citation2005).
Notes
1. DS is also known as ‘International Development Studies’, ‘Third World Studies’, ‘International Development’, ‘Third World Development’, ‘World Development’, ‘Global Perspectives’, and ‘International Studies’ and combinations of all of these. In this document it is referred to as ‘DS’ for the sake of consistency rather than as a judgement that this is the ‘right’ name.
2. In the UK alone, there are 16 UK universities with dedicated departments, schools, or centres, and a further 33 with significant capacity. The Development Studies Association (DSA) lists 150 courses and an estimated 700 academic staff. For further details see www.devstud.org.uk/guides.htm
3. For examples of such introspection, see the special issues of World Development (30(12), 2002); the Canadian Journal of Development Studies (25(1), 2004); European Journal of Development Research (15(1), 2003); Edwards Citation(2002).
4. Economic Development and Cultural Change (1952), Development (1957), Journal of Development Studies (1965), Development and Change (1970), World Development (1973).
5. For example, one could note the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, and anthropological (and other) studies financed from British government (and colonies') funds. In the economic sphere there were a number of very influential economic studies in East Africa (for example Peacock and Dosser Citation(1958) on National Income Accounting).
6. This section draws on Corbridge Citation(2005), whose paper goes into far greater detail, in addition to reflecting other critiques.
7. Comments made in his presentation at the 40th Anniversary Conference of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) ‘Social Knowledge and International Policy Making: Exploring the Linkages’, Geneva, 20–21 April 2004.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Andrew Sumner
Andrew Sumner is a Senior Lecturer at London South Bank University. Previously he worked at the University of East London, at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and for NGOs in the UK and overseas. He is a member of the council of the Development Studies Association (DSA).