Book Launch: Research Handbook On Democracy And Development

The contentious debates regarding the relationship between democracy and development remain far from settled. Professor Abdul-Gafaru Abdulai, Associate Professor in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), has co-authored a Research Handbook on Democracy and Development. The Research Handbook on Democracy and Development is a new publication co-edited by Professor Gordon Crawford of Coventry University and Professor Abdul-Gafaru Abdulai, UGBS (see https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/research-handbook-on-democracy-and-deve...). Exploring and updating the controversial debates about the relationship between democracy and development, the Handbook provides clarification on the complex and nuanced interlinkages between political regime type and socio-economic development. Distinguished scholars across the globe examine a broad range of issues from multidisciplinary perspectives across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

Analysing the relationship between political regime types, including varieties of democracies and autocracies, and broader development indicators, chapters cover economic growth, poverty and human development, inequality, corruption, conflict, human rights, and environmental sustainability. The Research Handbook examines longstanding and unresolved debates in the field over the past 60 years, as well as investigating contemporary issues of rising global inequalities, the resurgence of authoritarian populism, and the crisis of liberal democracy.  Published by Edward Elgar, the book was launched online on Tuesday, 15 June, 2021.

The book has received endorsements by several globally-renowned scholars, a few of them are as follows:
‘This is a volume of unusual quality, substantive breadth, and grounding in social science. The editors and contributors embed cutting-edge findings in the past two or three decades of scholarship on development and democracy, and on the relationship between the two. The volume will be valuable both as a resource and as a launching point for new research.’ – Catherine Boone, London School of Economics, UK

‘Crawford and Abdulai have brought together a wonderful slate of illustrious scholars to address central questions about the relationships between democracy, development, and sustainability. This brilliant handbook is a “must-have” guide alike for new learners looking for an introduction to seasoned researchers seeking a ready reference. An invaluable resource for political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, economists, and many multidisciplinary scientists among others.’ – Arun Agrawal, University of Michigan, US and Editor-in-Chief, World Development

‘Too often it is taken for granted that democracy translates into development. The variety of reflections in this volume go beyond this convenient but far too easy equation. They offer valuable food for thought, motivating further deliberations in search and support of promoting and strengthening democracy as an ingredient to meaningful development.’ – Henning Melber, President of the European Association for Development Research and Training Institutes, Germany

UGBS lauds Professor Abdul-Gafaru and the co-editors for their effort in their publications.

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