Britain and the Politics of Modernization in the Middle East, 1945–1958

In an historically informed critique of the theory and practice of development assistance, this book examines Britain's foreign aid programme in the Middle East in the 1940s and 1950s. After an assessment of the origins of what was dubbed the 'peasants, not pashas' policy - notably the link between development, sterling balances, and post-war imperial strategy - the author focuses on planning and policy debates between British development experts, their American rivals, and Middle Eastern technocrats. These debates, which centred on issues such as afforestation, irrigation, and rural credit, raise important questions about the nature and limits of the development process within the Middle East and the Third World which the author explores in his analysis. This 1996 book will be of interest to development practitioners and scholars in development studies, as well as to students of Middle East and imperial history.

Reviews & endorsements

' … a lively and thoughtful account of British 'development' efforts in various Middle Eastern countries during the years immediately following World War II … Kingston has written a succinct and perceptive memoir of a decent and dedicated band of individuals whose efforts evidently deserve the affectionate attention he has given them' International Journal of Middle Eastern Studies

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Product details

• Date Published: November 2002
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9780521894395
• length: 204 pages

• dimensions: 229 x 155 x 13 mm
• weight: 0.31kg
• contains: 1 b/w illus.
• availability: Available