Evolving Themes in Rural Development 1950s-2000s

Authors: Ellis, Frank¹; Biggs, Stephen¹

Source: Development Policy Review, Volume 19, Number 4, December 2001 , pp. 437-448(12)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

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Abstract:

This article provides a brief overview of the major switches in rural development thinking that have occurred over the past half-century or so. Dominant and subsidiary themes are identified, as well as the co-existence of different narratives running in parallel. The continuing success of the long-running `small-farm efficiency' paradigm is highlighted. The article concludes by asking whether sustainable livelihoods approaches can be interpreted as providing a new or different way forward for rural development in the future. The answer is a cautious `yes', since these approaches potentially permit the cross-sectoral and multi-occupational character of contemporary rural livelihoods in low-income countries to be placed centre-stage in efforts to reduce rural poverty.

Document Type: Original article

DOI: 10.1111/1467-7679.00143

Affiliations: 1: School of Development Studies, University of East Anglia

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