Table of Contents

Prelims (List of tables, figs, About the author, Preface, Acknowledgements, Acronyms) Part One: Word Play Part Two: Poverty and Participation Part Three: Aid Part Four: To provoke: For our future Back Matter (References, Index)

Promotional Information

'An intoxicating cocktail of thought and practice, people and things, Chambers pokes and provokes us to reflect on the hubris and hypocrisy with which the "development profession" is stuffed. I shall mine this book - like a rich, nutty fruit cake - to help me understand the messy, iterative world of which we're part.' Camilla Toulmin, Director, International Institute for Environment and Development, London 'May development scholars and practitioners use Chambers' Provocations to put the post-World War II era of the "paradigm of things" to rest once and for all ... and to give space for his better way forward. This book is a gift to development scholars and practitioners. Read it, reread it, maybe even read parts aloud, and ponder.' Robin Broad, Professor, American University, Washington, and co-author of Development Redefined: How the Market Met its Match 'A smorgasbord of delightful provocations: Robert Chambers at his best - irreverent, sharp and illuminating!' Gita Sen, Professor, Centre for Public Policy, Indian Institute of Management, India 'Prepare to be provoked! This book is serious fun, and should be read, skimmed or otherwise engaged with by anyone with an interest in making a positive difference to international development work.' David Lewis, Professor of Social Policy and Development, London School of Economics & Political Science, UK 'Development studies as a field of inquiry and prescription has become becalmed in recent years, stuck in its own truisms and assumptions. Sadly, few people seem to have noticed. For 40 years, Robert Chambers has been challenging complacency and simply-plausible thinking that lacks empirical justification or ethical rigour. His writings are always worth reading...' Norman Uphoff, Professor of Government and International Agriculture, Cornell University

About the Author

Robert Chambers is Research Associate at the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex

Reviews

"An intoxicating cocktail of thought and practice, people and things."--Camilla Toulmin, Director

"For 40 years, Robert Chambers has been challenging complacency and simply-plausible thinking that lacks empirical justification or ethical rigor."--Norman Uphoff, Professor of Government and International Agriculture

"Prepare to be provoked! This book is serious fun."--David Lewis, Professor of Social Policy and Development

"Read this book, reread it, maybe even read parts aloud, and ponder!"--Robin Broad, Professor

"Robert Chambers at his best--irreverent, sharp and illuminating."--Gita Sen, Professor, Centre for Public Policy