📖 Overview
Duncan Green is a Senior Strategic Adviser at Oxfam GB and a Professor in Practice at the London School of Economics. His work focuses on international development, aid effectiveness, poverty reduction, and social change.
Green's most influential book "How Change Happens" (2016) examines the dynamics of social and political transformation, drawing on case studies from various countries and contexts. He maintains a widely-read blog called "From Poverty to Power," which shares his name with his 2008 book addressing power, rights, and change in international development.
Through his academic work and practical experience, Green has contributed significantly to debates about bottom-up development approaches and systems thinking in humanitarian aid. His research emphasizes the importance of understanding local contexts and power relationships when implementing development programs.
Green's career spans both academia and practical development work, including roles at CAFOD and the Department for International Development. He holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and regularly lectures on international development issues at universities worldwide.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Green's practical insights from his field experience and his ability to break down complex development concepts. His blog posts and books receive attention from development practitioners, students, and policymakers.
What readers liked:
- Clear explanations of development theories backed by real examples
- Accessible writing style that avoids academic jargon
- Practical frameworks for understanding social change
- Integration of systems thinking with on-the-ground realities
What readers disliked:
- Some find his examples too focused on Oxfam's work
- Occasional repetition of key points
- Some readers wanted more concrete solutions rather than analysis
- Limited coverage of certain regions/contexts
Ratings and Reviews:
"How Change Happens" (2016)
- Goodreads: 4.1/5 (218 ratings)
- Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 reviews)
"From Poverty to Power" (2008)
- Goodreads: 3.8/5 (46 ratings)
- Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 reviews)
Notable reader comment: "Green excels at explaining why standard development approaches often fail, but his alternative frameworks could be more detailed" - Development practitioner on Goodreads
📚 Books by Duncan Green
How Change Happens (2016)
Analyzes how power operates in society and examines various approaches to achieving social and political change through case studies and theoretical frameworks.
From Poverty to Power: How Active Citizens and Effective States Can Change the World (2008) Explores the relationship between citizen action and government effectiveness in reducing poverty and inequality, drawing from international development examples.
The Silent Revolution: The Rise and Crisis of Market Economics in Latin America (2003) Chronicles the implementation and impact of free-market economic policies across Latin America from the 1970s through the 1990s.
Faces of Latin America (1991, updated editions in 1997, 2006, 2012) Provides an overview of Latin American society, politics, and economics through examination of social groups, economic systems, and political movements.
Hidden Lives: Voices of Children in Latin America and the Caribbean (1998) Documents the experiences of children living in poverty throughout Latin America and the Caribbean through first-hand accounts and social analysis.
From Poverty to Power: How Active Citizens and Effective States Can Change the World (2008) Explores the relationship between citizen action and government effectiveness in reducing poverty and inequality, drawing from international development examples.
The Silent Revolution: The Rise and Crisis of Market Economics in Latin America (2003) Chronicles the implementation and impact of free-market economic policies across Latin America from the 1970s through the 1990s.
Faces of Latin America (1991, updated editions in 1997, 2006, 2012) Provides an overview of Latin American society, politics, and economics through examination of social groups, economic systems, and political movements.
Hidden Lives: Voices of Children in Latin America and the Caribbean (1998) Documents the experiences of children living in poverty throughout Latin America and the Caribbean through first-hand accounts and social analysis.
👥 Similar authors
William Easterly writes about international development, foreign aid effectiveness, and economic growth in developing nations. His critiques of top-down development approaches align with Green's emphasis on bottom-up change and local solutions.
Amartya Sen examines poverty through the lens of capabilities and freedom rather than pure economics. His work on development as freedom shares Green's focus on power dynamics and social change.
Paul Collier analyzes poverty traps, conflict, and governance in developing countries. His research on how institutions affect development outcomes connects with Green's interest in systems change.
Dani Rodrik focuses on globalization, economic growth, and institutional frameworks in developing nations. His work on how local context shapes development outcomes parallels Green's emphasis on adaptive approaches.
Ha-Joon Chang examines historical development pathways and challenges orthodox economic thinking. His analysis of institutional change and policy space reflects Green's interest in how change happens in complex systems.
Amartya Sen examines poverty through the lens of capabilities and freedom rather than pure economics. His work on development as freedom shares Green's focus on power dynamics and social change.
Paul Collier analyzes poverty traps, conflict, and governance in developing countries. His research on how institutions affect development outcomes connects with Green's interest in systems change.
Dani Rodrik focuses on globalization, economic growth, and institutional frameworks in developing nations. His work on how local context shapes development outcomes parallels Green's emphasis on adaptive approaches.
Ha-Joon Chang examines historical development pathways and challenges orthodox economic thinking. His analysis of institutional change and policy space reflects Green's interest in how change happens in complex systems.