ABSTRACT
A major characteristic of the multi-and interdisciplinary field of development studies since its establishment in the 1940s has been a series of sea-level changes in thinking about the process of development itself. This search for new theoretical conceptualizations of development has been mirrored by changes in the practice of development in the field. Thus, there has been much debate and controversy about development, with many changing views as to its definition, and the strat - egies by means of which, however development is defined, it may be pursued. In short, the period since the 1950s has seen the promotion and application of many varied views of development. And the literature on development theory and practice has burgeoned, particularly since the mid-1980s (see, for example, Apter 1987; Preston 1987, 1996; Lesson and Minogue 1988; Schuurman 1993; Crush 1995; Escobar 1995; Hettne 1995; Streeten 1995; Brohman 1996; Cowen and Shenton 1996; Leys 1996; Rapley 1996; Potter et al. 2004). A major theme is that ideas about development have long been controversial and highly contested.
