Law and development are often viewed as means of achieving the goals of human rights, democracy, poverty reduction, and greater social inclusion/equality. However, there is a significant gap when it comes to ideals and realities regarding the success of law and development projects. You will critically explore the relationship between law and economic development, especially as it concerns efforts in the so-called developing world. Such a disjuncture stems largely from how law and economic development are largely imagined as technical matters separate from social and political forces. In critically confronting this gap between ideal and reality, you will examine foundational presumptions of the law and development movement. You will situate it in its greater historical and social contexts, examine divisions between the Global North and Global South, and explore what 'law and development' looks like when imagined from diverse, and especially marginalised, perspectives. You will consider specific international institutions (especially the International Monetary Fund and World Bank), national and/regional case studies, and broader themes (such as gender, finance, war, urbanisation, and the inclusion of minorities and indigenous peoples.)
Lectures 10 hours
Workshops 14 hours
Written -Short writing piece- Essay plan (1000 words) Worth 20% of the total marks for the module.
Written- Extended writing- essay (3000 words) Worth 80% of the total marks for the module. This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
Reassessment methods- Single instrument 100% written assessment (4,000 words)
For current reading list see the detailed module information on moodle.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Identify and explain in depth the theoretical debates and academic controversies surrounding the relationship between law and economic development.
2) Critically describe and evaluate the major doctrines and policies directing current international and regional efforts in the law and development field.
3) Locate issues of law and development in their proper historical, political, economic, and social contexts
4)Critically appraise the historical and ideological underpinnings of Western legal thought and international policy in the field of law and development.
5) Apply advanced critical knowledge and understanding of law and development in the form of reasoned supported argument.
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