This book re-establishes the relevance of mainstream anthropological (and sociological) approaches to development processes and simultaneously recognizes that contemporary development ought to be anthropology's principal area of study. Professor de Sardan argues for a socio-anthropology of change and development that is a deeply empirical, multidimensional, diachronic study of social groups and their interactions.The Introduction provides a thought-provoking examination of the principal new approaches that have emerged in the discipline during the 1990s. Part I then makes clear the complexity of social change and development, and the ways in which socio-anthropology can measure up to the challenge of this complexity. Part II looks more closely at some of the leading variables involved in the development process, including relations of production; the logics of social action; the nature of knowledge; forms of mediation; and 'political' strategies.

Introduction: The three approaches in the anthropology of development 1. The discourse of development 2. Socio-anthropology of Development: some preliminary statements 3. Anthropology, Sociology, Africa and Development: a brief historical overview 4. A renewal of anthropology ? 5. Stereotypes, ideologies and conceptions 6. Is an anthropology of innovation possible ? 7. Developmentist populism and social science populism: ideology, action, knowledge 8. Relations of production and modes of economic action 9. Development projects and social logic 10. Popular knowledge and scientific and technical knowledge 11. Mediations and brokerage 12. Arenas and strategic games Conclusion : The dialogue between social scientists and developers Bibliography Index