paved_with_good_intentions

The Babble Book Club’s next selection will be Paved with Good Intentions: Canada’s development NGOs from idealism to imperialism by authors Nikolas Barry-Shaw and Dru Oja Jay. With so much focus on Canadian politics, this non-fiction read will provide a nice departure from our fiction-heavy selections as it theoretically discusses the ideologies and politics behind Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and how their politics and development have been influenced by government aid. Author Nikolas Barry-Shaw has also agreed to join the final discussion on Saturday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m. EST to provide additional comments and answers on this expansive and important topic.

Paved with Good Intentions offers a well prepared argument and structure of the complicated world of NGOs. Part I argues that NGOs have not offered an alternative power or empowered the marginalized population as presented by various global contexts and events: the history of NGOs and neoliberalism impacts, the distorted relationships between independent NGOs and federal government, the spread of Southern NGOs and their dependence on foreign funds and the role of NGOs in Haiti’s democratic government. Part II discusses the political trajectory of Canadian NGOs and how the rise of Canadian NGOs has moved away from independent and radical to government funded and passive and is in need of a reinvention.

As always, Babble Book Club encourages everyone to join the conversation and read with us (no membership required!), contributing all intermittent thoughts and comments to the babble thread. On our final discussion, all questions can be directed towards author Nikolas Barry-Shaw who will be present for one hour to provide the insight and answers you need.

So grab a copy of Paved with Good Intentions from your local library, independent bookstore or Fernwood Publishing and start reading along with us!