Book talk on “Disrupted Development in the Congo” with Ben Radley
The Development Studies Association is pleased to highlight an upcoming book talk by Ben Radley on his new work, Disrupted Development in the Congo, part of the DSA/OUP book series.
On 19 November, Ben will present his book at King’s College London’s Department of International Development. The talk will feature discussants Dr Christian Otchia and Dr Ingrid Kvangraven, offering in-depth engagement with the themes and arguments of the book. The talk will be followed by a wine reception and all are welcome.
The book offers a fresh perspective on the complex political, economic, and social dynamics shaping development in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The first three chapters are already available open access, and focus on the return and expansion of transnational mining corporations in the African periphery, as well as the scrutiny and legal challenges faced by foreign mining companies operating in the region.
The work has attracted attention in leading journals, including:
- The Journal of Development Studies, where Christoph Vogel describes the book as a “meticulous, essential and dystopian study”;
- in the Canadian Journal of Development Studies (“an important read for scholars of African political economy, policymakers and anyone interested in the intersections of mining, development and global capitalism”
- The Journal of Peasant Studies,
- and Politique Étrangère.
Ben also wrote for The Conversation on: African countries lost control to foreign mining companies – the 3 steps that allowed this to happen
Looking ahead, Ben is hoping to have an open access French-language edition, both electronic and print, expected in 2026, further expanding the accessibility of his work to French-speaking audiences.
This talk promises to be an insightful discussion for academics, practitioners, and anyone interested in the evolving development landscape in the Congo.