The No-Nonsense Guide to International Development (No-Nonsense Guides) - Softcover

'I sincerely hope this No-Nonsense Guide toInternational Development reaches and informs anew section of thinking people across the world.Let as many of them as possible become supportersof and participants in the new politics of transformation.'Medha Patkar, Narmada Valley People's Movement, India "In this book, Maggie Black, a leading writer on development issues, convincingly reveals the flaws of the prevailing views on and practices in international development. But she does not stop here, drawing on a vast array of literature, documents and studies as well as a wide and profound personal experience, she forcefully shows new and feasible ways on how to improve the living conditions of millions of people who have to make do with not more than one Euro per day. In this sense, this book is a true and welcoming guide." Amazon Customer Review (5 Stars)

'Overseas aid' and 'international development' are catch-all terms that cover a multitude of activities - and abuses. Building dams in India, planting trees in Burkina Faso and rescuing street children in Brazil are images of development with which we can all identify. But what few people realize is that the terms aid and development often mask confusion, contradiction, and even downright deceit. This guide explains what 'development' actually is - and explores its political and economic roots in history. It shows what can happen in the name of development and argues for a more organic, social approach with those it seeks to serve as equal partners in the process.