Abstract
James Midgley is the Harry and Riva Specht Professor of Public Social Services at the School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley. Part I of this book gives definitions and a history of “social development,” a term used for over 50 years to describe a process of planned social change designed to promote the well-being of a population as a whole within the context of a dynamic, multifaceted development process, especially in the Global South (p. 13). Part II summarizes key theoretical debates around social well-being, human rights, and social justice. Part III surveys practices such as human capital, social capital, community development; cooperatives; asset building; employment creation policies; social protection, and social planning. Part IV examines barriers and challenges such as war, the international arms trade, corruption, political indifference, institutionalized discrimination, ethnic conflict, religious hatred, and structural inequality. Each section has suggestions for additional reading.
Drawing on international initiatives such as the Millennium Development Goals, the author cites progress made over recent decades. Despite these achievements, the author acknowledges much more needs to be done (p. 212). To adapt a phrase from another context, governments need to address and transform “the triple axis of evil” (war, racism, and economic inequality). Olivia Ward, author of a sustainable development goals wish list, includes such real hurdles as the need to make further progress toward gender equality, providing water and sanitation for all, and protecting ecosystems. She notes that only five of the 34 wealthy countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development met or surpassed their 0.7% GNP targets for supporting development assistance (“The Sustainable 17,” Toronto Star, 19 Sept. 2015).
The book gives examples from around the world, a useful glossary, and an extensive bibliography. The book provides lucid and challenging reading for policy makers, development practitioners, development courses at any level of higher education, missionaries, and those preparing to serve in social ministry.