The Center for Development Research and Foresight has published the translated version of "History of Development: From Western Origins to Global Faith," originally authored by Gilbert Rist. Dr. Seyed Rahim Timouri is credited with the translation of this fifth edition.

This book delves into the concept of development, tracing its historical trajectory from its ancient roots in the first millennium BC to contemporary global events. The central argument hinges on the idea of unlimited growth or progress, a notion deeply embedded in Western culture and absent in others. This distinction, according to the author, has created a significant gap between nations, surpassing historical justifications for Western superiority.

Rist's unique contribution lies in tracing this Western concept of development back to its origins in ancient times and the Middle Ages, culminating in the Enlightenment's embrace of unlimited progress and the post-WWII invention of "development" as a global concept. However, the author argues that the present-day challenges of unbridled economic growth and climate crisis necessitate a critical reevaluation not only of development itself but also of the commodification of nature and social relations, even extending to the entire field of economics.

The book unfolds in several thematic sections:

• Chapters 1 and 2:Explore the historical evolution of development as a Western myth, culminating in the Enlightenment's enshrinement of unlimited progress.
• Chapter 3:Titled "Creation of the Global System," examines the crucial role of colonization in spreading the concept of development around the world.
• Chapters 4-14:Provide reference texts that have shaped the global understanding and implementation of development over the past eight decades.
• Concluding chapter:Reiterates the need to deconstruct not only development and the commodification of nature and social relations but also the entire field of economics.

This translated edition of "History of Development: From Western Origins to Global Faith" offers a valuable resource for readers interested in understanding the historical, philosophical, and critical perspectives surrounding the concept of development and its global impact.