If you’re new to development studies, reading lists can seem a little daunting. There are classic works to digest, by authors such as Michel Foucault and Edward Said, and contemporary titles by Arturo Escobar, Amartya Sen, Joseph Stiglitz and others.
In addition to the books you’ll find on most university reading lists, there are other titles waiting to be discovered. From your recommendations via Twitter, we’ve compiled a list of 10 books to read, many of which were released in the past year.
We’d like to hear more suggestions. Which other development books would you recommend? Should any recent titles be considered required reading? Leave your suggestions in the comment thread below.
Failing to Protect: The UN and the Politicisation of Human Rights by Rosa Freedman
While not the first book to criticise the effectiveness of the UN, Failing to Protect provides a useful introduction to the complexities of responding to human rights violations. Freedman argues that there are structures inside the UN that make it impossible for the organisation to live up to its human rights charter, such as practices of vote trading and voting in political and regional blocs. The book is low on UN jargon, making it more accessible than many other titles on the subject.
The End of Plagues: The Global Battle Against Infectious Disease by John Rhodes
The End of Plagues offers a handy overview of the world’s most infectious diseases and global efforts to contain them. Rhodes, an immunologist, outlines the history of diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis and HIV and Aids, as well as vaccination successes and failures. The section on polio is a particularly interesting read and gives a behind-the-scenes look into the global campaign to eradicate the disease.
Arrival City: How the Largest Migration in History is Reshaping our World by Doug Saunders
Arrival City presents urbanisation from a glass-half-full perspective. Saunders explores rural-urban migration and the growth of informal settlements with stories from 30 cities and villages around the world. There is a focus on migrant success stories, but also a wider argument that urbanisation, when given the attention it deserves, can fast-track growth of the global middle class.
Women in Politics: Gender, Power and Development by Mariz Tadros
As gender moves from the fringes of development studies towards the centre, the volume of books on the subject has grown tremendously. This analysis explores the barriers to women’s participation in politics and the measures required to lift them, alongside stories of women who have overcome the odds to reach public office. Featuring authors from Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, Women in Politics provides fascinating local perspectives on a global issue.
The Fog of Peace: The Human Face of Conflict Resolution by Giandomenico Picco and Gabrielle Rifkind
Can there be peaceful alternatives to war? Picco and Rifkind tackle the big questions in this timely read on peace-building and conflict. Picco’s personal accounts of his career as a UN diplomat set this title apart from some others on this topic, particularly his stories of securing the 1988 ceasefire agreement between Iran and Iraq.
Unbowed by Wangari Maathai
To feel inspired ahead of the new term, Maathai’s autobiography deserves a place on your bookshelf. The Nobel peace prize winner recounts her childhood in rural Kenya and her work as an environmentalist, politician and human rights campaigner. Maathai, who died in 2011, founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, which continues her work on conservation and education.
Media and Development by Martin Scott
This is the latest release in Zed Books’ Development Matters series, comprising concise explainers of key development topics. The book explores the influence of the media in representing global issues, as well as its role in development activities such as spreading public education messages and promoting democratic participation. The book also outlines the pros and cons of communication for development without the unyielding optimism often tied to the topic.
The Tyranny of Experts: Economists, Dictators and the Forgotten Rights of the Poor by William Easterly
Easterly’s critique of technocratic aid came up more than once in our Twitter recommendations. The former World Bank economist and author of White Man’s Burden takes a different approach in his latest book, tracing the history of aid before arguing that the voices of poor people have been ignored amid the opinions of autocrats and their advisers. While Easterly has his critics in development circles, this book offers a compelling argument for bottom-up development.
The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power and Politics of World Trade by Pietra Rivoli
Do you know where your T-shirt came from? Rivoli traces the origins of a T-shirt from the cotton fields of Texas to a secondhand clothing stall in Tanzania, providing a compelling account of globalisation and free trade. If you want to read more about the supply chains of your favourite wardrobe items, read Caroline Knowles’s 2014 book tracing the life of flip-flops – Flip-flop: A Journey through Globalisation’s Backroads.
The End of Power: From Boardrooms to Battlefields and Churches to States, Why Being in Charge Isn’t What it Used to Be by Moisés Naím
Power is a central theme in development studies – who has it, who wants it and who requires it for social change. In this book, Naím argues that control is shifting from traditional sites of power to those once located on the fringe, such as minor parties and non-government actors who play a bigger role in global decision-making. A worthwhile read for future activists and campaigners.
