Abstract

The inclusion of development ethics into the development discourse are increasingly coming under critical review by both development scholars and practitioners, especially those in the realm of civil society. The inclusion of development ethics has not only been a local but also global project. Given that development has become so professionalized that it is difficult to think outside its terms of reference, inclusion of ethical issues has become problematic. One would assume that with the implementation of the neo-liberal policies in many poor African countries in the last twenty or so years would enhance better livelihood strategies and patterns. However, the non-observance of the development ethics in the implementation of SAPs has led to the continued suffering of the majority of the rural populations in Africa. The paper argues that implementation of neo-liberal policies, such as structural adjustment policies (SAPs) without observing development ethics has hindered the creation of an enabling environment for the rural people to adopt better livelihood patterns and strategies. Implementation of SAPs and the interrelationship between durable inequalities are examined and evidence suggests that there is symbiotic relationship between failure to observe ethics in development and continued marginalization of African livelihoods.

Key word: Neo-liberal, policies, African, professionalized.