Understanding power in development studies through emotion and affect: promising lines of enquiry

Date

2022

Authors

Jakimow, Tanya

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract

In this volume, the contributors take affect and emotions as a means to cast ‘development’ in fresh light. Recognising that the affective dimensions of life are a critical part of social, political and economic organisation, each contribution draws upon theories of affect and emotion to enrich understandings of power within development studies. This introductory essay critically reflects on dominant understandings of power in the field, outlining how these can be augmented, or rethought, through attention to affect and emotions. It proposes new lines of enquiry that bring a necessary dynamism to the analysis of power in three ways, revealing how emotion and affect: (a) sustain or potentially challenge broader social and economic conditions; (b) influence processes of self-formation; and (c) reinforce or potentially disrupt social hierarchies. We aim to advance a research agenda that draws upon affect theory to enhance understandings of development with a focus on power’s sedimentation and disruption.

Description

Keywords

Affect, emotions, power, development studies, theory

Citation

Source

Third World Quarterly

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

Open Access

License Rights

Restricted until