Description
An incisive critique of how the field of international poverty studies, cultivated by global development agendas, has served to legitimate an increasingly punitive and conservative neoliberal world order.
About the Author
Andrew M. Fischer is associate professor of social policy and development studies at the Institute of Social Studies (ISS). He has worked with and advised various multilateral agencies and NGOs, including the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch. His previous books include The Disempowered Development of Tibet in China (2014) and State Growth and Social Exclusion in Tibet (2005).
Reviews
This award winning book shows that global poverty and what we know about it is much more contentious than is ever recognised in the headlines. A must-read for anyone who cares about global poverty and inequality. * Andy Sumner, King's College London *
A timely, spirited, critical dismantling of the poverty business, complete with thoughtful suggestions for its alternatives. Of great value to students and practitioners alike. * Barbara Harriss-White, Oxford University (Emeritus) *
A bracing challenge to contemporary approaches to poverty and exclusion. No matter your point of view, Fischer will make you rethink what you thought you knew. * Gary Dymski, Leeds University Business School *
In this deep critique of global poverty studies, Andrew Fischer shows how dodgy methods and metrics and wishful thinking combine to place scholarly analysis of poverty in the effective service of economic orthodoxy and neoliberal policies. Informed by the author's own field research and spectacular command of the literature, Poverty as Ideology is an instant landmark. * James K. Galbraith, The University of Texas at Austin. *
In this landmark contribution, Fischer uncovers the ideological foundations of poverty and poverty measurement, going beyond critique and deconstruction to spell out a radical alternative. Perceptive and profound, this is essential reading. * Jamie Peck, University of British Columbia *
In this important work, Fischer shows how concepts and measures of poverty come with underlying ideologies and politics. This lays the basis for a truly transformative approach, explicitly bringing in the politics of social justice. * Jayati Ghosh, Jawaharlal Nehru University *
Fischer does a wonderful job in linking technocratic approaches to poverty reduction, which try to eschew questions of politics and power, to neoliberal hegemony. His critique is powerful and convincing. Highly recommended. * Ray Kiely, Queen Mary University of London *
Book Information
ISBN 9781786990440
Author Andrew Martin Fischer
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Zed Books Ltd
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 368g