ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 reviews the evolution of international development from its colonial origins to contemporary efforts aimed at poverty alleviation. It describes how historical paradigms such as modernization, human capital theory, and the concept of “culture of poverty” have led to persistent inequalities stemming from colonial legacies. The chapter provides an overview of the different social sciences that have shaped development discourse: economics, sociology, political science, psychology, and anthropology. It also shows how the social sciences can be integrated in an interdisciplinary manner to help guide development work. And it underscores the need for culturally sensitive, context-specific strategies rather than imposed or uniform global solutions. There are real forces of social and economic power that benefit some and oppress others. History shows us that one of the best ways to combat these discriminatory and oppressive forces is through learning and education. Though global poverty has dropped significantly over recent decades, large disparities within and across countries remain. The chapter concludes by advocating for inclusive, context-aware strategies that consider local perspectives in order to achieve sustainable and equitable international development outcomes.
