Search results for ""Author Matthew Clarke""

With eighty percent of the world's population professing religious faith, religious belief is a common human characteristic. This fascinating and highly unique Handbook brings together state-of-the-art research on incorporating religion into development studies literature and research.The expert contributors illustrate that as religious identity is integral to a community's culture, exclusion of religious consideration will limit successful development interventions; it is therefore necessary to conflate religion and development to enhance efforts to improve the lives of the poor. Issues addressed include: key tenets, beliefs and histories of religions; religious response to development concerns (gender, environment, education, microfinance, humanitarian assistance); and the role of faith based organizations and missionaries in the wider development context. Practical case studies of countries across Africa, Eastern Europe and the Pacific (including Australia) underpin the research, providing evidence that the intersection between religion and development is neither new nor static. By way of conclusion, suggestions are prescribed for extensive further research in order to advance understanding of this nascent field.This path-breaking Handbook will prove a thought-provoking and stimulating reference tool for academics, researchers and students in international development, international relations, comparative religion and theology.Contributors: N.A. Alolo, J. Anderson, M. Bano, L. Bi, S. Bradbury, G. Buchanan, M. Clarke, J.A. Connell, B. De Cordier, S. Deneulin, I. Fanany, R. Fanany, X. Fang, S.T. Flanigan, F. Helmiere, G. Hoffstaedter, R. Ireland, M. Jennings, H. Marquette, J. Miller, C. Moe-Lobeda, Y. Narayanan, I. Nolte, L. Rae, J. Rees, P. Riddell, A.W. Sanford, M. Sharpe, C. Starkey, J. Sweet, D.S. Tatla, D. Tittensor, E. Tomalin, A. Ware, V.-A. Ware, J. Wills, A. Yumina

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With eighty percent of the world's population professing religious faith, religious belief is a common human characteristic. This fascinating and highly unique Handbook brings together state-of-the-art research on incorporating religion into development studies literature and research.The expert contributors illustrate that as religious identity is integral to a community's culture, exclusion of religious consideration will limit successful development interventions; it is therefore necessary to conflate religion and development to enhance efforts to improve the lives of the poor. Issues addressed include: key tenets, beliefs and histories of religions; religious response to development concerns (gender, environment, education, microfinance, humanitarian assistance); and the role of faith based organizations and missionaries in the wider development context. Practical case studies of countries across Africa, Eastern Europe and the Pacific (including Australia) underpin the research, providing evidence that the intersection between religion and development is neither new nor static. By way of conclusion, suggestions are prescribed for extensive further research in order to advance understanding of this nascent field.This path-breaking Handbook will prove a thought-provoking and stimulating reference tool for academics, researchers and students in international development, international relations, comparative religion and theology.Contributors: N.A. Alolo, J. Anderson, M. Bano, L. Bi, S. Bradbury, G. Buchanan, M. Clarke, J.A. Connell, B. De Cordier, S. Deneulin, I. Fanany, R. Fanany, X. Fang, S.T. Flanigan, F. Helmiere, G. Hoffstaedter, R. Ireland, M. Jennings, H. Marquette, J. Miller, C. Moe-Lobeda, Y. Narayanan, I. Nolte, L. Rae, J. Rees, P. Riddell, A.W. Sanford, M. Sharpe, C. Starkey, J. Sweet, D.S. Tatla, D. Tittensor, E. Tomalin, A. Ware, V.-A. Ware, J. Wills, A. Yumina

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Development and Religion explores how the world's five major religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam - understand and practice 'development' through an examination of their sacred texts, social teaching and basic beliefs. Religious belief is a common human characteristic with eighty percent of the world's population professing religious faith. Observable in all societies, religious belief is pervasive, profound, persuasive and persistent. The premise of this book is that despite this, religion has long been ignored within mainstream development paradigms and by development practitioners (both locally and at the international level) resulting in sub-optimal development outcomes. Matthew Clarke argues that each religion offers useful insights into various issues concerning development that should be considered by donors, NGOs, and others seeking to improve the lives of the poor. Undergraduates and postgraduate students of development studies, religious studies and theology will gratefully welcome this highly regarded book.Contents: Foreword by Katherine Marshall; Preface; 1. The Religion - Development Nexus; 2. Hinduism - Dharma and Active Citizenship; 3. Buddhism - A Middle Way for Development; 4. Judaism - A Cry for Justice; 5. Christianity - Development as an Option for the Poor; 6. Islam: Equality and Action; 7. Conclusion; References; Index

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Frequent references are made to the 'Asian economic miracle' as a means of describing the wave of GDP growth experienced across the Asia-Pacific region over the past twenty years. Implicit in this description is the assumption that the Asia-Pacific region has progressed at the same rate that GDP has risen over the same period. But is this truly the case? Employing a Genuine Progress Indicator as an alternative measure of sustainable welfare, the contributors to this book aim to answer this question by presenting case studies of seven Asia-Pacific nations. The results reveal that all is not as positive as conventional indicators might suggest. The book shows that the three wealthy nations - Australia, New Zealand, and Japan - have long reached a level of GDP beyond which further growth is detrimental to their sustainable welfare while the four poorer nations - China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam - are fast approaching a similar situation, but at much lower per capita levels of sustainable welfare. In view of these results, it is argued that genuine progress in the Asia-Pacific region requires the wealthy nations to focus on qualitative improvement (development) rather than GDP growth. As for the poorer nations, it is argued that population stabilisation demands urgent attention while the GDP growth required over the next two to three decades must be as clean, efficient, and equitable as possible.Sustainable Welfare in the Asia-Pacific will appeal to a wide audience of academics and researchers in the areas of ecological, environmental and natural resource economics, development, green national accounting, and environmental management. It will also find a readership in policymakers, environmental managers and NGOs, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

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On Sunday 26 December 2004, a tsunami of up to 30 metres high hit the northern tip of Sumatera in Indonesia, causing immediate destruction and the deaths of at least 130,000 in Indonesia alone. The scale of the devastation and ensuing human suffering prompted the biggest response endeavour to any natural disaster in history. Post-Disaster Reconstruction will be the first major book that analyses the different perspectives and experiences of the enormous post-tsunami reconstruction effort. It looks specifically at the reconstruction efforts in Aceh, one of the regions most heavily-hit by the tsunami and a province that has until recently suffered nearly three decades of armed conflict. Positioning the reconstruction efforts within Aceh's multi-layered historical, cultural, socio-political and religious contexts, the authors explore diverse experiences and assessments of the reconstruction. It considers the importance of the political and religious settings of the reconstruction, the roles of communities and local non-government organisations and the challenges faced by Indonesian and international agencies. From the in-depth examination of this important case study of disaster reconstruction - significant not only because of the huge scale of the natural disaster and response but also the post-conflict issues - the editors draw together the lessons learned for the future of Aceh and make general recommendations for post-disaster and post-conflict reconstruction-making.

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The Elgar Encyclopedia of Development is a ground-breaking resource that provides a starting point for those wishing to grasp how and why development occurs, while also providing further expansion appropriate for more experienced academics.With concise explorations of over 130 key terms, events, actors, theories, practices, agencies, and policies in the field, this Encyclopedia introduces a broader viewpoint to the ever-evolving discipline of development studies. Entries act as helpful references that clarify key subjects, identify influential literature and highlight correct practitioner procedure.Key Features: Interdisciplinary and international analysis of development Succinct and accessible entries that illustrate significant historical shifts Authored by experts and emerging leaders in contemporary areas of study such as rising powers and green economies Addresses core development issues such as child labour, class, food security, poverty, sustainability and urban development This essential Encyclopedia will be an important reference for students and scholars pursuing disciplines such as development economics, international politics, development studies and social policy. Development practitioners looking to improve existing practices will additionally benefit from its theoretical foundations and historical trajectories of important events.

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Barbadian folklore meets superheroes in this Afro-Caribbean fantasy adventure story—now in paperback Hardears is an Afro-Caribbean fantasy adventure graphic novel by Matthew Clarke and Nigel Lynch. The story takes place in an alternative world on Jouvert Island—a magical analog of the island of Barbados, and begins when a superstorm of unprecedented strength obliterates the island, leaving it totally defenseless.As the island reels from the devastation, Mr. Hardin, the head of the Merchant Guild, charges in and promises to rebuild the economy of the island by creating jobs in his giant corporation. However, it’s soon discovered that Hardin is a parasite and is capturing people from the island and using their life essence, or vibes,to feed his factories. Bolo, a local hero, saves his love Zahrah from Hardin and his cronies, but the lovers are then framed as rebels against the state. The state has been compromised by the factories, and the workers who know the truth about Hardin must go into hiding. If Bolo, Zahrah, and their allies don’t take down Hardin and the corrupt government, all will be lost. Together, they must find the strength of their island and ancestors to fight the evil forces that have taken over their homeland.

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