"Peet's survey of development theories makes for eminent reading, especially since it weaves philosophical underpinnings in a coherent fashion and provides cogent criticism of each approach. I can see it being used as a valuable text for undergraduate and graduate courses related to development planning." --"Journal of the American Planning Association (JAPA)"
.,."the need to reexamine various development paradigms is very timely. This book does exactly that, questioning all sociological, economic, neo-Marxist, poststructuralist, feminist, and radical democratic approaches, as well as an array of development models including modernization, dependency, and neoliberalism. An excellent resource for undergraduate and graduate programs in development economics; highly recommended for academic, research, and professional collections." -"-Choice"
"This book offers an excellent overview and critical assessment of the meaning and theories of development. The theories--including mainstream economic and sociological theories, Marxist and neomarxist, poststructuralist, and feminist theories of development--are well explained, referenced, and carefully examined. In the process, Peet and Hartwick make clear that 'development' is far more than a technical challenge; it requires a clear understanding of social dynamics (including those shaped by spatially linked accumulation processes) as well as socially defined and motivated criteria for change. In fact, one of the strengths of this book is the authors' willingness to present and use their own criteria for development as a reference point for examining other theories and visions. It will be a very useful addition to any class on economic development." --Martin Hart-Landsberg, Professor of Economics, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon
"Theories of Development is a thoughtful book in both senses--penetrating and packed with ideas. True to its title, it takes the reader through economic, sociological, marxist, post-ist, feminist, and finally, critical realist theories. It is thorough and well referenced. Although it gives intellectual space for theories from a wide range of persuasions, it is a partisan book--and all the better for that. A good read for everyone, and an eminently recommendable text for undergraduate and graduate-level courses on development and social change." --Piers Blaikie, PhD, Professor of Development Studies, University of East Anglia, UK
"Development, one of the founding beliefs of the modern world, is in desperate need of reinvention. What better way to do this than through a sweeping and constructive review of conventional and critical theories alike. Shifting their analytical gaze from modernization theory to Marxism, from critiques of post-Enlightment thought to poststructuralism, postcolonialism, and postdevelopmentalism, Peet and Hartwick elegantly lay the basis for 'another development.' Their convincing and eloquent approach reweaves the longstanding traditions of critical modernity and socialism and renews the call for the betterment of the human condition. This book's challenge must be taken seriously by all those interested in the fate of what until now has been known as the third world. Offering an excellent survey of development theories and of social theory more generally, it is a valuable text for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in development studies, economics, anthropology, geography, women's studies, and sociology." --Arturo Escobar, Department of Anthropology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
