The History of Development : From Western Origins to Global Faith, 4th Edition

In The History of Development, Gilbert Rist provides a complete and powerful overview of what the idea of  development has meant throughout history. He traces it from its origins in the Western view of history, through  the early stages of the world system, the rise of US hegemony, the supposed triumph of the third world, through to new concerns about the environment and globalization. In two new chapters on the Millennium  Development Goals and post-development thinking, Rist brings the book completely up to date. Throughout,  he argues persuasively that development has been no more than a collective delusion, which in reality has only resulted in widening market relations, despite the good intentions of its advocates.

Lucidly and powerfully written, this new edition is more essential than ever for students and practitioners of development.

Gilbert Rist is professor emeritus at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. He first taught at the University of Tunis, became the Director of the Europe-Third World Centre in Geneva and, later on, Senior Researcher on a United Nations University Project. Afterwards he joined the Graduate Institute of Development Studies where he taught intercultural relations and social anthropology.