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Challenges of the Developing World

Ninth Edition

Howard Handelman and Rex Brynen

The updated ninth edition of Challenges of the Developing World examines political, social, and economic development in the diverse countries of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. In doing so, it explores the political economy of policymaking, investigates the uncertain dynamics of democratization, highlights the impact of ethnic and religious tensions on developing countries, and looks at revolution and military intervention in politics. Key issues such as the environment, sustainable development, globalization, corruption, rural and urban poverty, and gender receive particular attention. Throughout, the book also highlights the contribution of different analytical perspectives within political science and development studies. Clearly written and frequently illustrated with examples, Challenges of the Developing World is designed to provide the reader with knowledge of the essential concepts, relationships, and approaches in a way that will be of lasting value.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 384 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-5381-1666-1 • Paperback • January 2019 • $80.00 • (£62.00)

978-1-5381-1667-8 • eBook • January 2019 • $76.00 • (£58.00)

Subjects: Political Science / Comparative Politics, Political Science / Globalization, Political Science / Geopolitics, Political Science / Developing Nations

Courses: Political Science; Comparative Politics; Development, Political Science; Comparative Politics; Introduction

Challenges of the Developing World

Ninth Edition

Paperback

eBook

Summary

The updated ninth edition of Challenges of the Developing World examines political, social, and economic development in the diverse countries of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. In doing so, it explores the political economy of policymaking, investigates the uncertain dynamics of democratization, highlights the impact of ethnic and religious tensions on developing countries, and looks at revolution and military intervention in politics. Key issues such as the environment, sustainable development, globalization, corruption, rural and urban poverty, and gender receive particular attention. Throughout, the book also highlights the contribution of different analytical perspectives within political science and development studies. Clearly written and frequently illustrated with examples, Challenges of the Developing World is designed to provide the reader with knowledge of the essential concepts, relationships, and approaches in a way that will be of lasting value.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 384 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-5381-1666-1 • Paperback • January 2019 • $80.00 • (£62.00)

978-1-5381-1667-8 • eBook • January 2019 • $76.00 • (£58.00)

Subjects: Political Science / Comparative Politics, Political Science / Globalization, Political Science / Geopolitics, Political Science / Developing Nations

Courses: Political Science; Comparative Politics; Development, Political Science; Comparative Politics; Introduction

Author

Howard Handelman was professor emeritus of political science at the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee. He specialized in the politics of developing nations, especially Latin America.

Rex Brynen is professor of political science at McGill University, where he specializes in Middle East politics, peacebuilding, and humanitarian operations.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Underdevelopment
Developing World Commonalities: The Nature of Underdevelopment
The Causes of Underdevelopment
2. The Political Economy of the Developing World
The Role of the State
Trade and Industrialization Strategies
Growth with Equity
Economic Development and the Environment
The Search for Sustainable Development
Finding the Right Mix
The Effects of Globalization on the Developing World
3. The Surge and Partial Retreat of Democracy
Democracy Defined
Democratic Transition and Consolidation
Authoritarian Beginnings
The Third Wave and Its Effect on the Developing World
International Causes and Consequences of the Third Wave
Prerequisites of Democracy?
Democratic Consolidation Explained
How Do Democracies Perform? Public Policy Compared
Improving the Quality of Democracy
4. Corruption as an Obstacle to Development
Definition and Types of Corruption
The Costs of Corruption
The Causes of Corruption
Combating Corruption
5. Religion and Politics
Religion in the Developing World
Religion, Modernity, and Secularization
The Future of Religion and Politics in the Developing World
6. Politics of Cultural Pluralism and Ethnic Conflict
Defining Ethnicity
Ethnic and State Boundaries
Types of Ethnic and Cultural Divisions
Dependency, Modernization, and Ethnic Conflict
Levels of Interethnic Conflict
Outcomes and Resolutions
Ethnic Pluralism and Democracy
7. Gender and Development
The Status of Women in the Developing World
Gender and Politics
Modernization and the Status of Women
Gender and Democracy
8. The Politics of the Rural and Urban Poor
The Rural Poor: The Peasantry in the Developing World
Rural Class Structures
Peasant Politics
The Politics of Agrarian Reform
The Future of the Rural Poor
Rapid Urbanization and the Politics of the Urban Poor
The Developing World’s Urban Explosion
The Social and Political Consequence of Urban Growth
The Politics of the Urban Poor: Conflicting Images
Forms of Political Expression Among the Urban Poor
The Role of the Rural and Urban Poor in Democratic Change
9. Revolutionary Change
Defining Revolution
Underlying Causes of Revolution
Levels of Popular Support
Peasants as Revolutionaries
Revolutionary Leadership
Revolutionaries in Power
Revolutionary Change and Democracy
10. Soldiers and Politics
The Causes of Military Interventions
Progressive Soldiers and Military Conservatives
The Types and Goals of Military Regimes
The Accomplishments and Failures of Military Regimes
Military Withdrawal from Politics
The Military as a Deciding Factor in the Arab Spring
New Roles for the Armed Forces
Democracy and the Military

Reviews

Challenges of the Developing World is a highly remarkable text. It is what students of development have been waiting for – a thoughtful, comprehensive, critical, and engaging study of issues and challenges in the developing world. In the end, this well-documented, elegantly written, and thought-provoking text is a wonderful introduction to the field.
— Michael Cairo, Transyvlania University

An excellent and comprehensive introduction to the politics of developing nations.
— Angela Wolfe, University of Delaware

A sophisticated, thorough introduction to the politics of the developing world that makes good use of current research and is suitable for upper level undergraduate students.
— Brian Kessel, Columbia College

Features

View a sample chapter HERE.

Updates to the ninth edition include:
- Focus on the sustainable development goals and social and economic progress in the developing world, underscoring the progress developing countries have made in recent decades and the growing importance of environmental issues.
- Discussion of the key challenges facing democracy in the developing world today, particularly in the Middle East.
- Coverage of the causes and consequences of corruption, as well as anti-corruption measures.
- Attention to the rise of religious fundamentalisms (especially in parts of the Middle East and broader Muslim world) and the challenges of ethnic politics and cultural pluralism in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East
- Addresses the status of women in the politics of developing countries and the situation of sexual (LGBT+) minorities.

Resources

FOR STUDENTS
Accompanying the text is an open-access Companion Website designed to reinforce the main topics and help you master key vocabulary and concepts through flashcards and self-graded quizzes.
FOR PROFESSORS
Ancillary Materials are available for this title. For access to these professor use only materials, please Sign-In if you are a registered user, or Register then email us at rltextbooks@bloomsbury.com

Test Bank. The Test Bank includes a variety of test questions and is available in either Word or PDF formats. For every chapter in the text, the Test Bank includes a complete test with a variety of question types, including multiple choice, true false, and essay formats.

To use our Test Bank in Word or PDF, please Sign-In if you are a registered user, or Register then email us at rltextbooks@bloomsbury.com

Challenges of the Developing World

Ninth Edition

Howard Handelman and Rex Brynen

Challenges of the Developing World

Ninth Edition

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