Anthropology and development : understanding contemporary social change / Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan ; translated by Antoinette Tidjani Alou.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 217-235) and index.

Introduction : the three approaches in the anthropology of development -- Socio-anthropology of development : some preliminary statements -- Anthropology, sociology, Africa, and development : a brief historical overview -- A renewal of anthropology? -- Stereotypes, ideologies, and conceptions -- Is an anthropology of innovation possible? -- Developmentist populism and social science populism : ideology, action, knowledge -- Relations of production and modes of economic action -- Development projects and social logic -- Popular knowledge and scientific and technical knowledge -- Mediations and brokerage -- Arenas and strategic games -- Conclusion : the dialogue between social scientists and developers.

"This book re-establishes the relevance of mainstream anthropological (and sociological) approaches to development processes and simultaneously recognizes that contemporary development ought to be anthropology's principal area of study. The introduction provides a thought-provoking examination of the principal new approaches that have emerged in the discipline during the 1990s. Part I then makes clear the complexity of social change and development, and the ways in which socio-anthropology can measure up to the challenge of this complexity. Part II looks more closely at some of the leading variables involved in the development process, including relations of production; the logics of social action; the nature of knowledge; forms of mediation; and "political" strategies."--Publisher description.

Machine converted from AACR2 source record.