As world attention focuses on poverty reduction and good governance, "Reclaiming Development Agendas" looks at why such changes in discourse and policy are taking place, what they mean for the challenge of forging development processes that are more socially inclusive and equitable, and what needs to be done to reclaim development agendas.

Throughout the 1980s major changes in development policy took place in several Third World socialist countries. This book traces the evolution of economic and food policy in Mozambique, Vietnam, Cuba and Nicaragua and examines why the shift from "orthodoxy" to "reform" occurred. The process of economic reform, it is argued, emerged in the context of a crisis of the post-revolutionary state, reflected in the latter's incapacity to mobilize surplus for basic needs provisioning and accumulation as well as to direct the evolution of the economy and society through planning and "hegemony".;It is argued, however, that the reform process should not be seen merely as a pragmatic response on the part of planners and government leaders to crisis conditions and external ideological influences. Neither was it simply a case that "moderates" gained the upper hand on the "ideologues". Rather, the reform process was determined to a large extent by specific changes which occurred in the balance of social forces. Particular attention is focused on the way in which different social groups struggled in defence of their economic interests; the nature of changes which had taken place in social structure

Civil society activism around issues of global justice has proliferated in Europe during the past two decades. Has such contestation and advocacy made a difference? This book examines whether and how the organizations, networks and campaigns involved have attained their policy objectives in the areas of debt relief, international trade, international taxation and corporate accountability. The analysis also considers the relationship between national and transnational activism. By comparing variations in the "activism-policy nexus" in France, Italy and the United Kingdom, it seeks to understand how such interaction and policy outcomes vary in different institutional and political contexts.

This volume assesses the achievements and limitations of a new set of non-state or multistakeholder institutions that are concerned with improving the social and environmental record of business, and holding corporations to account. It does so from a perspective that aims to address two limitations that often characterize this field of inquiry. First, fragmentation: articles or books typically focus on one or a handful of cases. Second, the development dimension: what does such regulation imply for developing countries and subaltern groups in terms of well-being, empowerment and sustainability? This volume examines more than 20 initiatives or institutions associated with different regulatory and development approaches, including the business-friendly corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda, corporate accountability and fair trade or social economy.

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Civil society activism around issues of global justice has proliferated in Europe during the past two decades. Has such contestation and advocacy made a difference? This book examines whether and how the organizations, networks and campaigns involved have attained their policy objectives in the areas of debt relief, international trade, international taxation and corporate accountability. The analysis also considers the relationship between national and transnational activism. By comparing variations in the "activism-policy nexus" in France, Italy and the United Kingdom, it seeks to understand how such interaction and policy outcomes vary in different institutional and political contexts.

The emergence of an increasingly global economy has involved changes in production, improvements in technology, and the liberalization of international trade and finance. Critics of neoliberalism are concerned that in the new economic environment, many firms do not act responsibly, failing to play by the spirit of market rules or to live up to their obligations to key stakeholder groups. Furthermore there is not the same economic institutions and legal frameworks in place in the international realm that we have in the domestic realm to ensure that the economy functions in line with basic principles of market competition.

In this context of contestation about the desirability of the neoliberal variant of globalization, there has been a sharp rise of non-state regulatory initiatives. This book investigates the manner in which and the degree to which non-state initiatives that regulate the activities of business contribute to inclusive development, especially the development prospects of the most vulnerable sectors of society. The collection includes a variety of individual cases as well as some theoretical and comparative pieces.

Throughout the 1980s major changes in development policy took place in several Third World socialist countries. This book examines why this shift from 'orthodoxy' to 'reform' occurred in Mozambique, Vietnam and Nicaragua, as well as in Cuba during the early 1980s. It provides an in-depth analysis of the changes which took place in economic and food policy and the nature of the crisis which prompted the reforms. It focuses particularly on the role of social forces in shaping the reform process.

As economic crises, growing inequality and climate change prompt a global debate on the meaning and trajectory of development, increasing attention is focusing on 'social and solidarity economy' as a distinctive approach to sustainable and rights-based development. While we are beginning to understand what social and solidarity economy is, what it promises and how it differs from 'business as usual', we know far less about whether it can really move beyond its fringe status in many countries and regions. Under what conditions can social and solidarity economy scale up and scale out - that is, expand in terms of the growth of social and solidarity economy organizations and enterprises, or spread horizontally within given territories? Bringing together leading researchers, blending theoretical and empirical analysis, and drawing on experiences and case studies from multiple countries and regions, this volume addresses these questions. In so doing, it aims to inform a broad constituency of development actors, including scholars, practitioners, activists and policy makers.

As economic crises, growing inequality and climate change prompt a global debate on the meaning and trajectory of development, increasing attention is focusing on 'social and solidarity economy' as a distinctive approach to sustainable and rights-based development. While we are beginning to understand what social and solidarity economy is, what it promises and how it differs from 'business as usual', we know far less about whether it can really move beyond its fringe status in many countries and regions. Under what conditions can social and solidarity economy scale up and scale out - that is, expand in terms of the growth of social and solidarity economy organizations and enterprises, or spread horizontally within given territories? Bringing together leading researchers, blending theoretical and empirical analysis, and drawing on experiences and case studies from multiple countries and regions, this volume addresses these questions. In so doing, it aims to inform a broad constituency of development actors, including scholars, practitioners, activists and policy makers.