This far-reaching and long overdue chronicle of communication for development from a leading scholar in the field presents in-depth policy analyses to outline a vision for how communication technologies can impact social change and improve human lives. Drawing on the pioneering works of Daniel Lerner, Everett Rogers, and Wilbur Schramm as well as his own personal experiences in the field, Emile G. McAnany builds a new, historically cognizant paradigm for the future that supplements technology with social entrepreneurship. McAnany summarizes the history of the field of communication for development and social change from Truman's Marshall Plan for the Third World to the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals. Part history and part policy analysis, Saving the World argues that the communication field can renew its role in development by recognizing large aid-giving institutions have a difficult time promoting genuine transformation. McAnany suggests an agenda for improving and strengthening the work of academics, policy makers, development funders, and any others who use communication in all of its forms to foster social change. | Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Preface Acknowledgments Introduction: Communication in the Lives of the Globe 1. Saving the World: Beginnings of Communication for Development 2. Globalization, Discourse, and Development Communication: UNESCO as Prime Mover 3. Commuunication for Development: Does It Work? 4. Rethinking the Paradigm: The Dependency Phase 5. Another Paradigm: Participatory Communication 6. Paradigm for a New Millennium: Social Entrepreneurship 7. Past, Present, and Future: An Agenda for 2015 and Beyond 8. The Future: Some Final Thoughts References Index Back Cover |

"It presents in-depth policy analyses to outline a vision for how communication technologies have—and still can—impact social change and economic/cultural development. . . . McAnany builds an historical paradigm that melds technology with social entrepreneurship. "— Communication Booknotes Quarterly

"Saving the World offers a judicious integration of Emile G. McAnany's own first-hand experience with many of the seminal people and projects in communication for development. McAnany provides a very valuable understanding of the underlying structure of the field and how these ideas have been implemented and theorized."—Joseph Straubhaar, author of Media Now: Understanding Media, Culture, and Technology
"All students who are just beginning will find this book an excellent introduction not only to the ideas and theories but also to the key thinkers who have helped frame the debate over the last 30 or 40 years. . . . Knowing the people and their histories gives an invaluable background to our knowledge."—Communication Research Trends


"A comprehensive, ambitious history and policy analysis of the field of development communication. McAnany's grasp of the major developments, issues, and advances of this field will appeal to scholars of communication, sociology, political science, and economics."—Robert Huesca, professor of communication, Trinity University
"Savings the World provides a strong history for understanding the context of efforts to use communication to spur development. McAnany's continuing push for measures that will demonstrate success or failure is welcome. This volume will be most valuable to those seeking historical context as they delve into the role of information and communication technologies for development."—International Journal of Communication

"Saving the World is a fascinating examination of how earlier...