This speech by Thandika Mkandawire is a detailed study of the theoretical evolution of the concept of 'Development Studies' in economics in general but also in social science per say. The speech traces the ideological interpretations of the concept from it's inception in the post World War II era to the current phase of unilateral globalisation by different schools of thought, from the Keynesian interpretations to the neo-classical point of view. He traces the dilution of developmental agendas to 'Poverty Reduction' and the neo-classical designs of reducing the focus from a welfare state to 'good governance'. The speaker concluded with a call for an inter-disciplinarian approach to the problem of development in third world countries for a more meaningful discourse.

March 10, 2007.