Long, Norman.(2001) Development Sociology Actor Perspectives

In this exciting and challenging work, Norman Long brings together years of work andthought in development studies to provide a key text for guiding future developmentresearch and practice.Using case studies and empirical material mainly from Latin America, DevelopmentSociologyfocuses on the theoretical and methodological foundations of an actor-oriented and social constructionist form of analysis. This style of analysis is opposed tothe traditional structuralist/institutional analysis which is often applied in develop-ment studies.With an accessible mix of general debate, critical literature reviews and originalcase-study materials this work covers a variety of key development issues. Among manyimportant topics discussed, the author looks at commoditisation, small-scale enterpriseand social capital, knowledge interfaces, networks and power, globalisation and locali-sation as well as policy formulation and planned intervention processes.This book should be read for its desire to pursue a form of analysis that helps us tounderstand better (and more realistically) the kinds of development interventions andsocial transformations that have characterised the second half of the twentieth centuryand will no doubt continue to characterise future development studies.