The Aid Triangle: Recognizing the Human Dynamics of Dominance, Justice and Identity (Development Studies Association) - Softcover

MacLachlan, Malcolm; Carr, Stuart; McAuliffe, Eilish

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1842779117 ISBN 13: 9781842779118

Publisher: Zed Books, 2010

Synopsis

The Aid Triangle focuses on the human dynamics of international aid and illustrates how the aid system incorporates power relationships, and therefore relationships of dominance. Using the concept of a triangle of dominance, injustice and identity this timely work explains how the experience of injustice is both a challenge to, and a stimulus to, personal, community and national identity, and how such identities underlie the human potential that international aid should seek to enrich. This insightful new critique provides for the reader an innovative and constructive framework for producing more empowering and more effective aid.

About this title

About the Author

Malcolm MacLachlan is with the Centre for Global Health and the School of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin.  He is a graduate of the universities of Cardiff, Dundee, London, Strathclyde and Dublin and is currently a Visiting Professor at the Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Stellenbosch University.  His research interests are in organisational aspects of international aid, enablement of people with disabilities, and the interplay between culture and health.  He has worked with a broad range of NGOs and multi-lateral agencies and with Irish Aid.  He is currently Research Advisor to Southern African Federation of the Disabled.   Eilish Mc Auliffe is Director of the Centre for Global Health and Senior Lecturer in Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin. Her research is on strengthening health systems in middle and low-income countries, with a particular focus on the human resource crisis and psychosocial aspects of HIV/AIDS, and she has contributed to books and published in peer reviewed journals on these issues. Previously, Eilish worked at the Centre for Social Research, University of Malawi. She has provided a wide range of consultancy support to governments, NGOs and professional healthcare bodies and has contributed to numerous strategy and policy documents in both high and low-income countries. Stuart C. Carr is Professor of Psychology in the Industrial and Organisational Psychology Program at Massey University. Professor Carr coordinates the Poverty Research Group, an international network focused on interdisciplinary approaches to reducing poverty. Stuart's speciality is applying Industrial and Organisational Psychology to poverty reduction and his books are among the first to examine poverty reduction from this perspective, he co-edits the Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology.

Review

'This book is a most welcome addition to the growing call to rethink this whole dimension of international relations.' John Berry, Queen's University in Canada. 'This approachable and imaginative book takes a very different look at the practice of International Aid. Written by social scientists with considerable experience in the area, it offers not only a critique of current practices but also advice about how really to help those who need it. It is written with passion and clarity but always supported by the scientific literature in the area.' Professor Adrian Furnham, University College London 'At last! A book that addresses the psychological politics braided through civil society, governmental and multilateral agencies involved in aid. I highly recommend it.' A.K. Dube, African Decade for Persons with Disability 'A thought-provoking book that poses key questions about the nature and mechanisms of development.' Alastair Ager, Columbia University 'This book places justice - between individuals, between organisations and between countries and international organisations - at the heart of international aid and development; explaining its relationship with dominance and identity in a challenging, authoritative and engaging way.' Mary Robinson, Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative

Edition details

• Publisher: Zed Books
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1842779117
• ISBN 13: 9781842779118
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 184