The Political Economy of Development

Module description

This module focuses on the actors and issues that have defined development theory and practice previously and that continue to define contemporary development. The module will introduce students to the controversies that have been generated by discussions and debates about development from the emergence of the concept/practice onwards. It aims to place development as theory and practice in a historical perspective, paying particular attention both to its often forgotten beginnings and recent challenges to received ‘development wisdom’ coming from feminist, environmental and postmodernist quarters, as well as from profound shifts observable in practice, e.g. the rise of BRICs countries.

Assessment details

3,000-word essay (100%)

Educational aims & objectives

This module aims to:

• Equip students with key analytical tools and a good understanding of the main ways in which development has been discussed in theory and attempted in practice
• provide a solid understanding of the main historical developments that have shaped development as theory and practice
• examine in more depth the politics, processes, institutions, actors and ideas that currently characterise development

Learning outcomes

This module aims to provide an advanced level of understanding of the main theories of development. By the end of the module students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the kinds of development strategies that have been undertaken in specific periods in time.
• Apply conceptual tools to evaluate critically development thinking and policy; identify the theoretical and normative premises behind development programmes, locating them in a historical context, and utilising a comparative method, employ a detailed knowledge of case studies to understand contemporary situations and events.
• Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative and transferable skills, including ability to evaluate advanced concepts and theories, to employ primary and secondary sources, to present reasoned and effective arguments in written and oral form, to make individual and group presentations, to pursue independent learning and to show critical judgement.

Teaching pattern

Two hours per week, one lecture and one seminar 

Indicative teaching schedule

Week 1: Introduction: What is development?
Week 2: Classical Development: Classical Liberal Theory and Classical Historical Materialism
Week 3: Catch-up Development: nationalist versions and communist versions
Week 4: Golden Age Development: Modernization theory and Underdevelopment
Week 5: The Neoliberal ‘Revolution’ and the Washington Consensus
Week 6: Neo-Statist Development and the East Asian ‘Miracle’
Week 7: Alternative Approaches: Human Development and Gender Approaches
Week 8: Alternative Approaches: Environmental challenges
Week 9: Alternative Approaches: Postmodernist challenges
Week 10: BRICS – new models of development?

Note that this teaching schedule is indicative and subject to change.

Suggested reading list

• Chang, Ha-Joon, ed. (2003), Rethinking Development Economics, London: Anthem Press;
• Chang, Ha-Joon (2002). Kicking Away the Ladder: Development Strategy in Historical Perspective, London : Anthem Press;
• Chari, Sharad and Stuart Corbridge, eds. (2008), The Development Reader, London: Routledge;
• Desai, Vandana and Robert B. Potter, (3^rd Ed). (2014), The Companion to Development Studies, London: Routledge
• Grugel, J. and Hammett, D. (2016) The Palgrave Handbook of International Development (Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan).
• Marshall, Katherine (2008), The World Bank: From Reconstruction to Development and Equity, London: Routledge, 23-58;
• McMichael, Philip (2007), Development and Social Change: A Global Perspective, 5^th edition, London: Sage;
• Peet, Richard and Elaine Hartwick (2009), Theories of Development: Contentions, Arguments, Alternatives, New York: Guildford Press;
• Selwyn, B (2014) The Global Developmental Crisis, London, Polity Press
• Willis, Katie (2011), Theories and Practices of Development, 2^nd edition, London: Routledge.

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.