Short description:

First published in 1989, this book provides a macro-micro approach to economic development ? taking account of multi-level linkages, both inter and intra, that had been missed by previous analyses. The author argues that these linkages demonstrate that social and economic change may occur from the "bottom up" household/family level and not just from the "top down" economic order level ? using women as a vehicle to illustrate this.

Long description:

First published in 1989, this book provides a macro-micro approach to economic development ? taking account of multi-level linkages, both inter and intra, that had been missed by previous analyses. The author argues that these linkages demonstrate that social and economic change may occur from the "bottom up" household/family level and not just from the "top down" economic order level ? using women as a vehicle to illustrate this. In the first section, the expansive body of development literature is summarised and critically reviewed ? isolating the primary strengths and weaknesses. Case studies of Malaysia, the Chinese Commune and the Israeli Kibbutz demonstrate that a theory which combines the analysis of the organisation of work, kinship and ethnicity can accommodate the experience of women in an integrated manner that traditional development theory has failed to achieve.

'The book is of great use for professionals, academicians, policy makers, institutions engaged in women empowerment etc. and deserves to be placed in the libraries of professional and academic institutions across the world especially in third world countries.Finally, the author deserves the credit of refining her high quality research work precisely on the perennial topic of Economic Development and the Role of Women with systematic, balanced and well documented commentary.'

Interdisciplinary Journal of Economics and Business Law

'The combination modes framework enriches the development literature and ensures a more holistic understanding of development in general. Professor Taplin thus deserves accolades for this exemplary work and should earn a place in the front ranks of development theorists, particularly that related to the role of women in creating development.'

Professor Dev Tewari

Dean, Faculty of Commerce, Administration, and Law

University of Zululand

Interdisciplinary Journal of Economics and Business Law

Table of Contents:

Part I The Combination Modes Approach; 1. An Overview: Top down or bottom up? 2. Review and critique of the literature and a theoretical proposal Notes; Part II Empirical Case Studies: Theoretical Applications; 1. The Malaysian Case: an example of capitalist development Notes 2. The Kibbutz: collective led cooperatives Notes 3. The Chinese Commune: state socialist development Notes; Part III Conclusion; Concluding Summary References