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Imagining Postcolonial-Development Studies: Reflections on Positionalities and Research Practices

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Building Development Studies for the New Millennium

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Abstract

We find ourselves at a social, political, economic and environmental crossroads, where Development Studies in all its facets have been designated a leading role. Postcolonial Studies and postcolonial perspectives have often been neglected in Development Studies debates. Usually the fields are considered as being far apart: the former being concerned with discourse and representation, the latter focusing on the applicability of concepts and practices. However, linking both fields of thought may provide valuable insights for Development Studies to better cope with the global challenges of the twenty-first century. To illustrate possible openings the chapter discusses analytical tools of Postcolonial Studies in the context of development. It asks whether Postcolonial-Development Studies are imaginable and how Development Studies and research can benefit from postcolonial strategies.

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Schöneberg, J. (2019). Imagining Postcolonial-Development Studies: Reflections on Positionalities and Research Practices. In: Baud, I., Basile, E., Kontinen, T., von Itter, S. (eds) Building Development Studies for the New Millennium. EADI Global Development Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04052-9_5

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