Search

This Research Handbook on Development and the Informal Economy captures the magnitude of the informal economy for the global labour force. It unravels numerous concepts, definitions and methods of data collection to offer valuable insight into the differences between the informal, non-observed and shadow economies. Situating the concept of the informal economy within the evolution of development theories, strategies and thinking over the past 50 years, this Research Handbook also explores the future direction of the informal economy. Chapters consider recent debates around the transition from the informal to the formal economy, a transition which would reshape the social contract between people and state. Expert international contributors examine a range of policies, actions, regions and groups of vulnerable workers to uncover which forms of organisation will lead to more power, recognition and sustainable livelihoods for the working poor. They also analyse how innovation, knowledge co-production and technological change at a grassroots level can improve the working and living conditions of the informal worker. This Research Handbook maps the changing landscape of the informal economy and will be an essential resource for academics, researchers and students in the fields of development studies, economics and international studies.

This book unravels the trajectories and dilemmas of development in Nigeria since its independence in 1960. Despite enormous human and material resources, development progress in Nigeria has not met expectations. By delving into the various factors that have influenced development efforts and initiatives, Development in Nigeria: Promise on Hold? aims to draw out lessons to help the country to achieve its potential.In many ways Nigeria typifies the African puzzle of near-misses, a never-ending drive towards development with enormous promise but no real practical output. As in many states within Africa, these failures can be traced to structural inadequacies and the perennial weakness of public institutions. Problems which collectively undermine sustainable development and growth include political corruption, ethnicity, failure of public institutions, distributional injustice, fiscal centralism in a purported federal state, faulty democratic traditions, malevolent elite class, religious and social conflicts, among others. By taking a comprehensive panoramic overview of the country's historical experience as both a military dictatorship and democracy, Edlyne Eze Anugwom presents a nuanced, comprehensive and contemporary interrogation of the ever-dynamic forces and factors in Nigeria's development project. This book's incisive examination of Nigeria's development aspirations over time will be of interest to students of Development and African Studies, as well as to practitioners and multilateral agencies involved in development planning and intervention in Nigeria who are looking for strategies for overcoming the challenges facing the country.

In Western Europe, the notion of social exclusion is rapidly diffusing in recent years. This book investigates the notion of social exclusion as a new way to approach social issues such as the'new poverty'long-term-unemployment, precariousness, social polarization and disintegration. Particular attention is paid to both the global relevance of an approach in terms of social exclusion and its value compared to more conventional approaches in terms of poverty of deprivation. It is shown that social exclusion goes beyond these by explicitly embracing the relational as well as the distributional aspects of poverty and emphasizing processes. In this book, the authors explore the specific forms of social exclusion in the ongoing processes of globalization, deregulation, crisis of the welfare state, and rise of individualism.

Le monde se dirige-t-il vers une crise sans précédent où se juxtaposent difficultés économiques, sociales, écologiques et politiques? C'est cette question à facettes multiples qu'examine un collectif de chercheurs de divers horizons. Premier constat : à moins de revoir le modèle de développement actuel et d'y apporter des mesures correctives, les perspectives d'avenir sont plutôt inquiétantes. Cette crise mondiale marquerait, selon ces chercheurs, le point culminant d'une longue période de politiques de développement qui ont en commun d'avoir engendré des bouleversements à travers le monde, notamment dans les pays en développement. Une approche plus proactive et critique aux études en développement international, ainsi qu'à la façon dont le développement s'élabore sur le terrain, s'avère donc essentielle. Publié en anglais d'abord, Des outils pour le changement. Une approche critique en études du développement est une référence incontournable pour le lectorat francophone. Ce recueil comprend 49 brefs modules dont chacun aborde les grands thèmes du développement. Il est destiné tout autant aux théoriciens qu'aux professeurs, étudiants et chercheurs qui s'intéressent à une approche critique en études du développement. Qualifié de réalisation remarquable lors de sa sortie en anglais, cet ouvrage permet de mesurer l'ampleur des études du développement en fonction d'une approche critique. Une conviction commune anime cet ouvrage : il est impératif de procéder à des changements qui favoriseront un progrès véritable et durable. Publié en français

This volume looks at the three dimensions of social exclusion: economic, social and political. Exclusion is analyzed as a new approach to such issues as the'new'poverty, precariousness, long-term unemployment, social polarization and lack of citizenship. The book shows how relational and distributional aspects of poverty are interlinked.