World poverty and development are more salient than ever on the global political agenda. The campaigns of the global justice movement, the growing securitization of development in the aftermath of 9-11, the intensification of global inequality, and the perceived threats of global pandemics, migrations and failed states have contributed to a sense of renewed urgency.

The contributors to this volume, including Bjorn Hettne, Fantu Cheru, Jeffrey Haynes and Bonny Ibhawah, share a common intellectual aspiration to re-unite the study of development with the study of international relations or global politics as it is more broadly conceived today. Although globalization has transformed the context of development, it has yet to significantly transform for the better the prospects for real development or human security amongst the worlds most vulnerable communities.

Whether globalization, development and human security are inescapably trapped within a vicious circle or a virtuous cycle is the central concern of this book.