Possibilism and Evaluation

Sociologist Nicoletta Stame (PhD, State University of New York and Catania University) is emerita professor at Sapienza University of Roma, past president of the European Evaluation Society and Associazione Italiana di Valutazione, a member of the editorial board of Evaluation, and vice-president of A Colorni-Hirschman International Institute.

• Foreword – Introduction – Evaluation and development – Interpretive social science: The core of an anthology – Interpretive social science and morality – Hirschman, possibilism and evaluation – Hirschman’s production line on projects and programs – Possibilism, change and unintended consequences – Doubt, surprise and the ethical evaluator: Lessons from the work of Judith Tendler – Appendix A Albert Hirschman and the World Bank – Appendix B Remembering Judith – Bibliography – Index of Names – Index of Subjects.

“Drawing on unconventional evaluation strategies of Albert O. Hirschman and Judith Tendler, this book offers important insights regarding how to conduct evaluations which open up possibilities for public action. In contrast to the pessimism of conventional evaluations which highlight ‘constraints’ and ‘structural barriers’ to development, Stame offers a relatively optimistic approach urging continuous learning to transcend the rigid guidelines of orthodox evaluation paradigms. A must read for both development scholars and practitioners who are curious about how development efforts unfold amidst uncertainty and generate ‘surprises’ which must be culled to appreciate the complexities of the development process.”—Bish Sanyal, Ford International Professor of Urban Development and Planning and Director, SPURS/HUMPHREY Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology