This book considers the major changes that have occurred in the field of social development research from the early 1980s to the 1990s. It focuses on recent, theoretical and practical developments and discusses the relationship between theories, research and development practice. The text concerns itself principally with: alternative strategies of enquiry - structural, actor-oriented and post-Marxist; theoretical advances arising out of recent comparative and field studies; changing theoretical perspectives on the relations between social research and development practice. It uses case studies based on first-hand research to illustrate key new research areas in Europe, North America, Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia and considers the importance of non-governmental organizations in supplying development aid. The contributors are: Professor Fred Buttel, University of Wisconsin, USA; Dr Philip McMichael, Cornell University, USA; Professor Norman Long, Agricultural University of Wageningen, Netherlands; Professor Jan Douwe van der Ploeg, Agricultural University of Wageningen, Netherlands; Dr Stuart Corbridge, University of Cambridge; Professor Nicos Mouzelis, London School of Economics; Dr Alberto Arce, University of Wageningen, Netherlands; Dr Magdalena Villarreal, University of Wageningen, Netherlands; Dr Peiter de Vries, University of Wageningen, Netherlands; Dr John Harriss, Deputy Director of the Development Studies Institute, London School of Economics; Dr Anthony Bebbington, Overseas Development Institute, London; Dr Tony Barnett, University of East Anglia; Professor Piers Blaikie, University of East Anglia; Dr David Hulme, University of Manchester; Dr Michael Edwards, Save the Children Fund.