The Ethics of Development (Edinburgh Studies in Global Ethics)

About this book

A self-contained introduction to the field of ethics and development for students practitioners and the general reader.The Ethics of Development asks what is good development of societies and for people. It looks at how equating development with economic growth has been challenged examining whom that growth benefits or harms and which aspects of life it values or excludes and can favour or damage. It goes on to explore an alternative conception that of human development meaning achievement with respect to a wider range of values and the advancement of peoples freedom to achieve well-reasoned values. The book synthesises ideas from philosophy economics and social theory building in particular on the work of Len Doyal Ian Gough Martha Nussbaum and Amartya Sen. Dealing carefully and sympathetically with a range of viewpoints it elucidates complex issues with the help of historical and contemporary examples. It caters especially to students in development studies anthropology economics philosophy political science and social policy.Key Features:Provides case studies on famine health and drugs supply colonialism land alienation and land reform international debt structural adjustment and civil warPlaces emphasis on probing and clarifying the meanings and uses of key concepts including development efficiency effectiveness equity violence needs freedom choices culture and communityIncludes easy-to-grasp tables and figures discussion questions and suggestions for further reading