Research Handbook on Democracy and Development

Elgar Handbooks in Development

Edited by Gordon Crawford, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, UK and Abdul-Gafaru Abdulai, Department of Public Administration & Health Services Management, University of Ghana Business School, Ghana

Exploring and updating the controversial debates about the relationship between democracy and development, this Research Handbook provides clarification on the complex and nuanced interlinkages between political regime type and socio-economic development. Distinguished scholars examine a broad range of issues from multidisciplinary perspectives across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

‘Democracy and development as inclusive pursuits do not come naturally to humans as self-interested actors. They require institutionalization and rules of practice to balance between autonomy and responsibility, the self and the collective. This impressive book, rich in theory and substantiation, reminds us why we must not give up on the imperatives of democracy and development despite the phenomenal challenges to their fulfillment.’
– Francis B. Nyamnjoh, University of Cape Town, South Africa

‘This is a volume of unusual quality, substantive breadth, and grounding in social science. The editors and contributors embed cutting-edge findings in the past two or three decades of scholarship on development and democracy, and on the relationship between the two. The volume will be valuable both as a resource and as a launching point for new research.’
– Catherine Boone, London School of Economics, UK

‘Too often it is taken for granted that democracy translates into development. The variety of reflections in this volume go beyond this convenient but far too easy equation. They offer valuable food for thought, motivating further deliberations in search and support of promoting and strengthening democracy as an ingredient to meaningful development.’
– Henning Melber, President of the European Association for Development Research and Training Institutes, Germany

‘Two of the most contested subjects in contemporary scholarship – democracy and development—are boldly unpacked, re-packaged, and (re)connected in this refreshing new text. The Handbook answers your foremost questions and foregrounds the timeliness and timelessness of these phenomena and their perplexities.’
– Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso, Babcock University, Nigeria

‘Crawford and Abdulai have brought together a wonderful slate of illustrious scholars to address central questions about the relationships between democracy, development, and sustainability. This brilliant handbook is a “must-have” guide alike for new learners looking for an introduction to seasoned researchers seeking a ready reference. An invaluable resource for political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, economists, and many multidisciplinary scientists among others.’
– Arun Agrawal, University of Michigan, US and Editor-in-Chief, World Development