These articles on the challenges of development in post-war or post-conflict societies offer an opportunity to engage critically with the issue from a viewpoint that embraces politically contextualised and non-paradigmatic approaches to war and conflict. At the same time, they underline the importance of exceeding it to enable the recovery of other political, economic and social problematics. Such an approach is a necessary first step in reimagining dominant approaches to development in the context of war and transitions and setting really transformative agendas.
The Meeriyabedda landslide tragedy in Sri Lanka in which dozens have died has exposed the condition of workers in tea plantations in Sri Lanka. This tragedy needs to be investigated keeping in mind the historical disadvantage and dispossession plantation workers have been subjected to.
Private security is a big and growing business in India. The terrain of this industry reveals significant change as well as continuity. The political economy of security merits greater critical scrutiny from social scientists, policymakers, the media, and civil rights activists.
Rather than implement animal birth control through sterilisation and adhere to the rules of solid waste management, the municipal authority in Bangalore recently launched a programme to kill all stray dogs. This is only an eyewash, meant to placate certain groups and gain political mileage.
