Relocation Failures in Sri Lanka: A Short History of Internal Displacement and Resettlement - Softcover

Muggah, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1848130465 ISBN 13: 9781848130463

Publisher: Zed Books, 2008

Synopsis

This book considers why and how states, multilateral agencies, non-governmental organisations and non-state actors design and administer resettlement schemes. Tens of millions of people are internally displaced and relocated each year to make way for dam and urban renewal projects or in the wake of war, cyclones and floods. This book challenges current understandings of displacement and the prevailing resettlement regimes. It is distinctive because it argues for a unitary treatment of forced migration, bringing together diverse, multi-disciplinary approaches. Beginning with an overview of the available literature on forced migration, it goes on to focus on the particular case of Sri Lanka which has experienced all three of the forced migration regimes discussed in the literature--development, conflict and natural disaster-induced displacement.

About this title

About the Author

Robert Muggah is the Global Security and Cooperation Professional Fellow (SSRC) at the Refugee Studies Centre in Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford. He is also a senior researcher and project manager of the Small Arms Survey at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva.

Review

'This book [analyzing the consequences and amelioration] of the several kinds of 'internal displacement' is a welcome addition to the literature. There are instructive similarities, but also important differences, among forced resettlement as a result of development projects, armed conflict, or natural disasters. [It is a sad commentary on our times that development studies is having to extend its scope to the restoration of governance capabilities, economic productivity and social relationships, rather than just figuring out how to advance each of these dimensions [of national existence] to more satisfactory levels.] Muggah brings insightful social science analysis to this subject, plus an incisive historical perspective. His choice of Sri Lanka as a case study is [, sadly for that country,] very apt, since this country offers relevant examples of all three kinds of internal displacement for us to learn from.' Norman Uphoff, Cornell University 'Can one author concomitantly wield the analytical lenses of several disciplines? This insightful study brilliantly conquers this daunting methodological challenge. Muggah's major book is the sharpest theoretical, political, and sociological analysis of the conundrum of displacements and resettlement processes caused by development, conflicts, and natural disasters, that are integral not only to Sri Lanka's social fabric but epitomize the status of our today's World at large.' Michael M. Cernea, George Washington University

Edition details

• Publisher: Zed Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1848130465
• ISBN 13: 9781848130463
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 336