Levels of socio-economic development theory

The aim of this book is to acquaint readers with contemporary theories of development. Most theories of development attempt to explain international disparities in income, wealth, standard of living, and economic growth. The complexity of this task has given rise to a vast assortment of competing explanations. A basic challenge for students sifting through the literature is to organize the theories in a way that illuminates the differences and similarities among the various theories. With this purpose in mind, the theories of development in this book are organized by "levels of analysis"-individual, organizational, societal, and international. Some theories focus on the characteristics of individuals within a nation; others, on the structure of work organization; others, on the existing social, economic, and political institutions; and still others, on a nation's position in the international system. These levels of theory identify a particular set of factors as the cause of development or underdevelopment. Organizing theories of development in this way serves to emphasize the important role of theory, and of the levels of theory in shaping one's description, explanation, and interpretation of the development process. It also points to one of the leading sources of debate and controversy among development theorists.