A Theoretical Framework for Engaging with Religion in Development Projects. Issue 3 (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Butt, Atif Ikram
• Is Part Of: Journal of developing societies. Volume 30:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 323
• Page End: 341
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: social capital -- religious capital -- spiritual capital -- development and religion; Developing countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- History -- Periodicals; 909.09724
• DOI: 10.1177/0169796X14536973
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-796X

Abstract

In academic debates and at practical level too, there is a degree of polarization between those who view religion, particularly Islam, as a developmental obstacle and those who regards it as a developmental solution. It is contended that such a polarized debate is unhelpful for the study and practice of development. A dispassionate analysis of the role and effect of religion, which could bring the rationalist and post-development discourses closer, can better help development practitioners. Based on the theory of social capital and its offshoots, a theoretical framework is proposed to help development institutions and practitioners for the evaluation of their programs and polices of engagement with religion and religious actors, particularly in Muslim-majority countries.