From Sociology of Development to Sociology of Global Development

This paper tracks the trajectory of shifts and trends in the studies of development. Starting from the post World War 2 development studies, this paper will examine the interplay between changes in the political economy of the global system and argue that the end of the long and sustained Cold War in the 1990 has created a multi-polar global system replacing the Atlantic hegemony. The shifts in the really existing global system in the Twenty-first century have led to a profusion of development theories, some were rooted in earlier experiments at one level and a macro-theories of global development on the other. Drawing from the development experiences of a number of Asia-Pacific countries, this paper will explore how instutuional theories of development  intersect with culturalist theories in some cases yet an integrated and holistic theory or theories are yet to take root. A great deal of rethinking is needed to develop an integrated theory of global development that would be able to address the interconnected nature of development challenges facing te world.