Routledge Explorations in Development Studies
About the Book Series
The series features innovative and original research at the regional and global scale. Its scope extends to scholarly works that take an interdisciplinary and comparative approach.
In terms of theory and method, rather than basing itself on any one orthodoxy, the series draws broadly on the tool kit of the social sciences in general, emphasizing comparison, the analysis of the structure and processes, and the application of qualitative and quantitative methods.
The series welcomes submissions from established authors in the field as well as from junior authors. To submit proposals, please contact the Development Studies Editor, Helena Hurd ([email protected]).
Development Discourse and Global History: From Colonialism to the Sustainable Development Goals
2nd Edition
By Aram Ziai
September 25, 2025
Development Discourse and Global History introduces readers to the shifting ways in which people have been talking and writing about ‘development’ over time, and the rules governing the conversation. Drawing on the methods of Michel Foucault, Ziai’s ground-breaking book traces the origins of ...
Why States Matter in Economic Development: The Socioeconomic Origins of Strong Institutions
1st Edition
By Jawied Nawabi
August 29, 2025
This book examines the underlying conditions that give rise to states that are effective, efficient, and bureaucratically inclusive with their developmental policies. In spite of humanity’s significant advancements in science, technology and institutionalization of universal human rights ...
Effective Development Co-operation: New Evidence from the Global South
1st Edition
Edited
By Debapriya Bhattacharya, Towfiqul Islam Khan, Najeeba Mohammed Altaf
August 28, 2025
This book considers how development cooperation principles and practices can be made more inclusive and impactful. Amplifying voices from across the global south, the book combines key thematic discussions with new case studies spanning three continents and three key sectors: agriculture, education...
The Failure of Public Finance Management in Afghanistan: Lessons for Other Conflict-Affected States
1st Edition
By Mohammad Qadam Shah
July 24, 2025
In rebuilding conflict-affected states, a major portion of foreign aid focuses on reforming public finance management systems and supporting annual budgets. However, how budgets are allocated and how reforms take shape in practice remain critical questions. This book analyzes the politics of reform...
Rural Development in Iran, 1960-2020
1st Edition
By Mostafa Azkia
June 30, 2025
This book is an authoritative account of rural development in Iran, spanning 60 years and 2 distinct political regimes. Professor Mostafa Azkia has spent many decades demonstrating the importance of participatory rural development, not only in addressing rural problems but also in reducing urban ...
Foreign Aid in a World in Crisis: Shifting Geopolitics in the Neoliberal Era
1st Edition
By Viktor Jakupec, Max Kelly, John McKay
June 27, 2025
This book investigates the geopoliticisation of foreign aid in recent years, against a background of global overarching crises such as climate change, conflict, Covid-19, economic crisis, energy shortages and migration. Foreign aid has historically been understood as assisting both with the ...
Gender-Based Violence in the Global South: Ideologies, Resistances, Responses, and Transformations
1st Edition
Edited
By Ramona Biholar, Dacia L. Leslie
June 27, 2025
This book amplifies the different voices and experiences of those facing gender-based violence (GBV) in the Global South. It explores the localised ways in which marginalised individuals design modes of coping with and address GBV, including cultural interpretations, and artistic and faith-based ...
Taxation, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development: Global South Perspectives
1st Edition
Edited
By Eghosa O. Ekhator, Newman U. Richards, Chisa Onyejekwe
June 27, 2025
This book investigates the relationship between human rights and taxation, exploring how human rights have been impeded or enhanced through tax laws and policies, and what this means for sustainable development in the Global South. Drawing on cases from across the Global South, the book ...
Human Rights and the United Nations: Paradox and Promise
1st Edition
Edited
By Abigail B. Bakan, Yasmeen Abu-Laban
March 17, 2025
This book considers the complex and contradictory role of the United Nations when it comes to human rights around the world. It depicts the United Nations as a global arena in which state and non-state actors continuously contest issues around human rights. This ongoing contestation simultaneously ...
Civil Society and Local Ownership in the Global South: Responses to Conflict and Militarism
1st Edition
Edited
By Ibrahim Natil
March 05, 2025
This book assesses local civil society responses to conflict, militarism, climate change, and disease in the global south. Grounded in empirical analyses of civil society developments in Sub-Saharan African countries, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Palestine, and Syria, the book demonstrates that civil ...
Youth Voice and Participatory Arts in Global Development
1st Edition
By The May Group
February 17, 2025
Youth Voice and Participatory Arts in Global Development looks at how arts-based methods can promote youth voice and engagement in global development. This book argues that engaging young people’s diverse voices, ideas and knowledges in matters that affect them is vital in enabling young people to ...
Arts-based Research in Global Development: Performing Knowledge
1st Edition
Edited
By Vicki-Ann Ware, Kirsten Sadeghi-Yekta, Tim Prentki, Wasim al Kurdi
February 03, 2025
This book brings together a range of arts and development scholars and practitioners to explore the unique ways in which arts-based research methods can make a unique positive contribution to effective global development practice. Since the 1970s, global development has witnessed an increase in the...