Development Theory and Climate Change

Development Theory and Climate Change is an illuminating exploration of the decline and subsequent revival of development theories. M.A. Mohamed Salih demonstrates how the end of the Cold War and the ascendancy of neoliberal global capitalism have caused the revival of core conceptual frameworks derived from modernisation, dependency and the world system. M.A. Mohamed Salih discusses the way in which these development theories have earlier prioritised ideology over authentic progress and neglected to consider the environment and the experiences of women in their analyses of development. He reflects on ecofeminist, political ecology feminist and post-development discourses which offer alternatives to neoliberal international climate change policies, as well as activists such as Extinction Rebellion, who reject these policies entirely. The book ultimately proposes a reassessment of development theory beyond the climate change crisis, interrogating relations between developing and more developed industrially advanced countries in the Anthropocene. Students and scholars of development studies, environmental and human geography and sociology and sociological theory will greatly benefit from this pioneering book. Interdisciplinary in scope, it is also a vital resource for policymakers and practitioners working in climate change and development, as well as environmental activists and NGOs.

Table of Contents:
Contents Foreword Acronyms and abbreviations Introduction to Development Theory and Climate Change 1 Development and climate change: from the Industrial Revolution to the Anthropocene 2 Varieties of modernization theory 3 Ecological modernization and climate change 4 A lease of life: dependency, the world-system and the global environmental crisis 5 Dependency and world-system conceptual frameworks and climate change 6 Counter-currents to development theory and global climate policy Conclusions: theoretical decline and conceptual framework resilience Bibliography

About the Author :
M.A. Mohamed Salih, Emeritus Professor, Politics of Development, International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Review :
‘What to do when climate change renders old-style “development theory” obsolete? In this very timely book, Mohamed Salih draws on his four decades of leading-edge reflections to chart a path from old paradigms to new.’ ‘Development Theory and Climate Change is an exciting and timely book that brings together vital debates that inform key discourses on climate change. Mohamed Salih brings his breadth of experience as a development scholar who has thought deeply about both the theory and practice of climate change from a critical development and climate justice perspective. It is a crucial guide to understanding the vast ecological dilemmas we are facing today.’ ‘Development Theory and Climate Change is a thought-provoking exploration of how development theories intersect with the climate crisis. By bridging ecological modernisation, dependency, and feminist perspectives, it critiques neoliberal policies and offers fresh insights into global inequities and sustainability. A compelling contribution to understanding and addressing our most pressing challenges.’ ‘A book to read. Mohamed Salih extracts and unpacks from literature and experience, complex development and climate change related concepts, ranging from the nexus of grand development theories, new development concepts and climate change discourses. While there are many debates in the book, ecofeminism, feminist political ecology and post development are given special attention. The book concludes that the three approaches are the most prominent counter-currents to neo-liberal global capital oriented climate change policy.’