Adam Fforde. Coping with facts: A Skeptic's guide to the problem of development. Sterling, US. Kumarian Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-56549-268-4

✍ Scribed by Dr Angelique Chettiparamb

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 38 KB
• Volume: 23
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0954-1748
• DOI: 10.1002/jid.1673

✦ Synopsis

Coping with Facts is exactly what the full title suggests. It is a book that raises questions about the relevance to practice of a particular type of development theory (based on neo-classical economics) and the notions of predictability, cause-effect, universalism and agency that emanate from it. Essentially, the arguments are build upon an examination of the prescriptions for development promoted by bilateral and multilateral agencies, facts as observed in three countries and discussions of writings of select authors.

After the first chapter (which is a synopsis of the book), the book is divided into three parts. In the first part, the author queries the relevance and efficacy of policies promoted by bilateral and multilateral agencies. He raises questions about notions of cause and effect believed to be realised through what he terms 'intervention logics' (the justification for the cause-effect relationship), issues of universal prevalence of such policies, assumptions of knowability and 'correctness' of mechanisms that underlie these policies, the role of agency and the attribution of the same to the state and finally the importance of belief and faith in authority for the acceptability and promulgation of these policies. He highlights herein what he terms 'the problem of development' which is the contradictory way in which development is thought of as both a process that happens to locations or societies (without an agent), but is also a result of actions of an agent be it state or non-state actors.

The second part examines the development history of three countries-Vietnam, Thailand and Philippines-for policies promoted/adopted and discourses both before and after. The central argument is the view that practice does not hold up to theory often resulting in 'theory running ahead of evidence' (p. 121). Vietnam is presented as a case of 'success without intention, and a theatre of agency ' (p. 131). This is through a literature review that explains the development experience of Vietnam as being a result of state agency and aid, but also other social and economic forces. Thailand is presented as a case of 'success without intention and the search for a cause' (p. 130). Conflicting explanations for development found in the literature are presented-development as an immanent transcendental process that happens as a result of capitalist development and development as a process of policies promoted by intention by certain agents. Philippines is presented as a case of 'intention without success and the search for agency ' (p. 130). Literature which shows an intention to develop based on universalistic standards and the search for reasons for failure in the state are presented.

The third part presents the conclusions of the book. The author advocates the terminology of 'subsequent events' rather than effects so that causality is not implied. Heuristics or a 'learning by doing' approach grounded in unpredictability is advocated. The book ends with some thoughts as to what may at present, be happening in development studies and thought and what sort of change this could lead to in the future. Two trends that are picked up are the declining authority of mainstream development doctrines with their cause-effect assumptions and the tendency for less faith in the sovereignty of poor country governments. A research agenda that involves studying the pragmatic actions of those in practice-those who are aware of the limitations of knowledge and cause-effect relations-is suggested. Finally, speculation as to what may happen if these 'false' assumptions disappear is attempted. Some reflections are put forward. These refer to a greater tolerance for disagreement negotiated through an organised recognition of how this may be done (what Fforde calls rules about rules). Three examples of practice where this currently takes place are put forward.