1st Edition
Inclusive Innovation for Development Meeting the Demands of Justice through Public Action
Innovation has the potential to address a number of development challenges such as combating poverty and delivering health services, but all too often technological progress has failed to consider the needs of the poor, and has actually served to increase inequalities, rather than sharing out the benefits of new technologies and economic growth. Inclusive Innovation for Development outlines a theory of justice in innovation, arguing that principles of equity, recognition and participation can guide the direction of contemporary innovation systems towards equalising social relations in the production of knowledge and innovation, and meeting the basic needs of the poor.
The book first explores why inclusivity in innovation matters, and how the justice framework can be used to support inclusive innovation. The book then goes on to outline a ‘needs-based’ approach to innovation and development and explains how its principles can be generated through public action. Finally, it asks how we can effectively evaluate inclusive innovation. Drawing on cases from Africa, Latin America and South Asia, this book theorises innovation and justice in political terms, arguing that inclusive innovation is not just a practical necessity but a moral obligation.
This book's novel approach to innovation for development will be useful for upper-level students and scholars of development studies, politics, and innovation studies, as well as to local, national and international policy-makers and practitioners dealing with international development and inclusive innovation policies and programmes.
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Why Inclusivity in Innovation Matters
Chapter 2: Existing Theories of Justice and Inclusivity
Chapter 3: The Question of Inclusive Innovation for Development
Chapter 4: Generating Non-Ideal Principles of Justice through Public Action
Chapter 5: Evaluating Inclusive Innovation in Terms of Non-Ideal Principles
Conclusion
Index
Biography
Theo Papaioannou is Professor of Politics, Innovation and Development at the Open University, UK. He has researched and published extensively in the areas of political theory and public policy with a focus on innovation and development. His recent books include: (with Butcher, M.) International Development in a Changing World, Bloomsbury Academic, 2013, and Reading Hayek in the 21st Century: A Critical Inquiry into his Political Theory, Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.
"When an exceptional political theorist comes along to provide nuance to fundamental inquiries about innovation, inequality, and inclusion, it's time to pay attention. While books on innovation abound, Theo Papaioannou's new book is not only a pleasure to read, it is a must-read for anyone thinking of technological advance and a just world." -- Smita Srinivas, Founder Director, The Technological Change Lab, India; and winner of the 2015 EAEPE Myrdal Prize
"As a practitioner of inclusive innovation and social change, this is a must read. Theo Papaioannou presents important moral and political arguments for inclusive innovation and a justice-based framework to transform lives and capabilities. It is the only truly democratic approach to development and growth. I will refer to this book for many years to come." -- Harsha Patel, Chief Executive, Doing Social, UK
"This book elaborates the crucial statement that if innovation and social inclusion should be intimately related, it is urgent to move beyond fair distributions of innovative resources and focus instead on the social relations of knowledge production as well as the production of novel products and services (novel for being inclusive in the sense of solving problems that hamper the fulfilment of basic and yet unsatisfied needs). This standpoint allows for an original, coherent and convincing articulation of diverse perspectives, with particular emphasis on justice and development." -- Judith Sutz, Academic Coordinator, University Research Council, University of the Republic, Uruguay
