International Development Policy: Religion and Development

Abstract

With the resurgence of religion and rise of fundamentalism within major religions, academics and development agencies are increasingly debating the appropriate role of religion and faith-based organisations in development policy and practice. A global cast of scholars and practitioners examine these issues and fundamentally question the secular-religious dichotomy in development discourse and practice. They shed light on the reluctance of mainstream economic development approaches to incorporate religion into policy and practice. They examine recent initiatives by international development agencies and donors to integrate religion into development policy, and to develop partnerships with faith-based organizations. Through research on religious movements in Brazil, South Africa, Sri Lanka, China, Turkey and the states of the 'Arab-Spring', the authors discuss whether faith and religion provide a credible alternative to the (neo)liberal democratic development agenda.