Interdisciplinary in his scope, Andy Baker adeptly uses a threefold framework of the West, the South, and the Natural World to systematically break down the factors contributing to underdevelopment—from the legacies of colonialism and deficient domestic institutions, to the effects of globalization and the impact of geography and environmental degradation. Students learn to think like social scientists while coming to understand the interplay of influences on a nation’s political, economic, and social development.



Country case studies at the end of each chapter offer an ideal testing ground for applying the threefold framework, testing explanations with empirical data. Critical thinking questions then encourage students to weigh different theoretical arguments. A series of well-designed features develop students’ understanding of economic indicators as well as highlight the ways development work is done in the field. Shaping the Developing World presents high-quality academic analysis and the latest scholarship in a format that’s engaging, informative, and above all, accessible.