The North Atlantic development establishment has had an unenviable track record over the past 65 years. The few economic success stories in the developing world, such as South Korea and China, have been achieved by not taking the advice of Western experts. Still, debates within mainstream development studies remain largely confined to an emphasis on the size and quality of government. As a remedy, economists and scholars have long called for a reckoning with social orders and power. Building on this counsel, this book makes the case for also addressing culture, moving beyond critique and identifying agents, organizations and projects toward which monies and energies should be devoted.

Jonathan Warren is Associate Professor of International Studies and Co-Director of the Center for Brazilian Studies at the University of Washington.

List of Illustrations

List of Tables

Acknowledgments

1 Interpretive Economics

2 The Poison of Progress

3 Indigenizing Modernity

4 Corruption and the Commons

5 Development Lore

6 Trade Tips

Appendix A: Interview Schedule in Vietnam

Appendix B: Demographics of Interviewees in Vietnam and Brazil

Index