Drawing from the leading scholarship in the field, Gender and Development: The Economic Basis of Women's Power helps students develop a foundational understanding of the significant role that gender plays in developing societies. Award-winning scholars Samuel Cohn and Rae Lesser Blumberg have carefully selected and edited a collection of readings that encourage students to think critically about the economic power (or lack thereof) of women, and apply key concepts and theory related to gender and current development issues. From women's participation in labor markets to their financial autonomy and purchasing power, these readings enable students to explore the economic implications of female power and the importance of women's strategic indispensability. Key Features: Distinguished scholars in the field offer students distinctive personalized points of view that extend the study of women's power, gender, and development in new and interesting directions. A wide range of countries/regions, perspectives, and issues is explored to enable instructors the flexibility to introduce students to a variety of key concepts in a manner that works for their classrooms. Analysis of the cause and effect of women's power offers students insights on the inter-relation between gender and development. "Guide to the Book" provides students with context for understanding gender and development, as well as introduces students to the key theories that they will explore throughout the book.