The violence of aid? Giving, power and active subjects in One World Conservatism

Sharp, J. , Campbell, P. and Laurie, E. (2010) The violence of aid? Giving, power and active subjects in One World Conservatism. Third World Quarterly, 31(7), pp. 1125-1143. (doi: 10.1080/01436597.2010.518789)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Using Zizek's theorisation of power, we analyse the UK Conservative Party's Green Paper on international development, 'One World Conservatism' (OWC). We argue that by placing the West's giving of development aid as something beyond politics, on the moral high-ground of self-evident certainty, it acts to deflect attention from critical engagement with the nature of globalisation, power and aid itself, hiding both economic and epistemological violences behind the apparently benevolent act of giving. An analysis of the nature of the green paper demonstrates the ways in which it draws in UK citizens as active subjects complicit with this vision of the world.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Sharp, Professor Jo and Laurie, Dr Emma
Authors: Sharp, J., Campbell, P., and Laurie, E.
Subjects:G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography
J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
Journal Name:Third World Quarterly
ISSN:0143-6597
ISSN (Online):1360-2241

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record