Traditional understandings of economic development in low- and mid-income countries have largely been influenced by the economic narrative of Western Official Development Assistance (ODA). Within this framework, compliance with macroeconomic orthodoxy and early integration in Global Economic Governance (GEG) regimes are presented as enabling conditions to reach enhanced and sustainable levels of economic growth and social betterment. Yet, this narrative often fails to answer fundamental questions surrounding relational dynamics between the economies of ODA beneficiary countries and the GEG regimes they are asked to join. Bringing together contributions by Government officials, academics and development practitioners, this edited volume explores quantitative and qualitative approaches to socio-economic analysis in low- and mid-income countries, highlighting the conditions under which international economic policies and institutions can foster - or hinder - their socio-economic growth. In particular, contributions address the impact of both West and China-inspired international economic regimes on value-adding capacity, trade, investments, job creation and social development, thus advancing the debate on what policy and legal provisions should low- and mid-income countries adopt in order to maximize the benefits and minimize the costs deriving from joining international economic regimes. A comprehensive investigation of both sides of the Global Economic Governance and Human Development relationship; this book will interest scholars, practitioners and graduate students working in the areas of international relations, international political economy, global governance, international economics, development studies and human security.

This volume offers both theoretical approaches and case studies on the relationship between religion and the secular world. Bringing together contributions from seasoned authors, religious leaders, and brilliant new scholars, it frames the long-standing debate on how to structure a comparative representation of any religion on the one side, and the secular world on the other. Often, the very act of comparing religions exposes them to an assessment of their role in history and politics, and risks leading to some sort of grading and ranking, which is highly unproductive. By candidly discussing the relation between religion and the secular and providing concrete examples from four case studies (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Baha'I'), this book provides an important reference on how this can be achieved in a neutral way, while keeping in mind the normative finality of seeking conciliation to existing fractures, both within and among religions.

Traditional understandings of economic development in low- and mid-income countries have largely been influenced by the economic narrative of Western Official Development Assistance (ODA). Within this framework, compliance with macroeconomic orthodoxy and early integration in Global Economic Governance (GEG) regimes are presented as enabling conditions to reach enhanced and sustainable levels of economic growth and social betterment. Yet, this narrative often fails to answer fundamental questions surrounding relational dynamics between the economies of ODA beneficiary countries and the GEG regimes they are asked to join. Bringing together contributions by Government officials, academics and development practitioners, this edited volume explores quantitative and qualitative approaches to socio-economic analysis in low- and mid-income countries, highlighting the conditions under which international economic policies and institutions can foster - or hinder - their socio-economic growth. In particular, contributions address the impact of both West and China-inspired international economic regimes on value-adding capacity, trade, investments, job creation and social development, thus advancing the debate on what policy and legal provisions should low- and mid-income countries adopt in order to maximize the benefits and minimize the costs deriving from joining international economic regimes. A comprehensive investigation of both sides of the Global Economic Governance and Human Development relationship; this book will interest scholars, practitioners and graduate students working in the areas of international relations, international political economy, global governance, international economics, development studies and human security.

This book offers an original analysis of the long-term impact of western and Chinese economic and development cooperation policies in Africa. It argues that western Official Development Assistance (ODA) has failed to create viable and autonomous economies in beneficiary countries not (only) because of corruption, inefficiencies and cultural differences, but because it was never meant to do so. Raudino demonstrates, rather, that it was always designed to provide relief measures and nurture political relations rather than create genuinely industrialized and self-reliant economies. Similarly, by analyzing the nature of Chinese economic investments in Africa the author shows that China's governmental policies hardly represent a revolutionary departure from the cooperation standards set by the West. In making these observations he also taps into the broader question of why wealth continues to be generated unequally across the world. Based on extensive fieldwork, quantitative economic analysis and historical qualitative research, this thought-provoking work will appeal to students and scholars of politics, economics and development studies, as well as to those involved more directly in the aid process.

This volume offers both theoretical approaches and case studies on the relationship between religion and the secular world. Bringing together contributions from seasoned authors, religious leaders, and brilliant new scholars, it frames the long-standing debate on how to structure a comparative representation of any religion on the one side, and the secular world on the other. Often, the very act of comparing religions exposes them to an assessment of their role in history and politics, and risks leading to some sort of grading and ranking, which is highly unproductive. By candidly discussing the relation between religion and the secular and providing concrete examples from four case studies (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Baha'I'), this book provides an important reference on how this can be achieved in a neutral way, while keeping in mind the normative finality of seeking conciliation to existing fractures, both within and among religions.

This book offers an original analysis of the long-term impact of western and Chinese economic and development cooperation policies in Africa. It argues that western Official Development Assistance (ODA) has failed to create viable and autonomous economies in beneficiary countries not (only) because of corruption, inefficiencies and cultural differences, but because it was never meant to do so. Raudino demonstrates, rather, that it was always designed to provide relief measures and nurture political relations rather than create genuinely industrialized and self-reliant economies. Similarly, by analyzing the nature of Chinese economic investments in Africa the author shows that China's governmental policies hardly represent a revolutionary departure from the cooperation standards set by the West. In making these observations he also taps into the broader question of why wealth continues to be generated unequally across the world. Based on extensive fieldwork, quantitative economic analysis and historical qualitative research, this thought-provoking work will appeal to students and scholars of politics, economics and development studies, as well as to those involved more directly in the aid process.

This volume offers a nuanced picture of the details of specific instances of religion and politics in Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and Hindu contexts (some geographical, some thematic), broadly presenting the phenomenon of religion and politics via country and thematic case studies. Qualitative, quantitative, material, philosophical, and theological analyses draw upon social theory to show how (and why) religion matters deeply in each time and place. The authors and contributors demonstrate that religion is a significant force that drives societies and polities around the world, and that a radical change in the Western understanding of value-driven global politics is needed. It offers new local voices that many Western audiences have not yet heard. The essays in this volume suggest the need for an appreciation of Divinity as a quintessence holding a significant place in the hearts, minds, social orders, and political organization of polities around the world.