Development and its misconceptions

Development! M. Duffield calls it the liberal technology of security, always in coexistence with a state of emergency or, if you like, an alternative to externalization. Put more provocatively, development as the liberal alternative to genocide! We are killing Afghanis in order to save them, that is to develop them. Admittedly, this is fairly portentous but provides extremely heavy food for thought at the same time.

Duffield was just one of the thought-provoking presenters at today’s book launch event at SOAS. What is the role of aid agencies, NGOs in armed conflict? That is the broader question J. Goodhand addresses in his latest book Aiding Peace?. So many things to think about…Check it out if you are interested.

Özlem