Methodology and Theoretical Framework

This chapter presents the methodological approach and theoretical foundation underpinning the analysis of power dynamics in development and economic growth. The methodology adopts an interdisciplinary approach, integrating political science, economics, sociology, and cultural studies to provide a holistic analysis. A combination of theoretical analysis, case study method, and policy analysis ensures both conceptual clarity and practical application. Frameworks from Marx, Weber, and Foucault are complemented by contemporary critical theory, enabling the deconstruction of dominant paradigms while situating power as a central determinant of economic behaviour and institutional design. The theoretical framework is structured around seven pillars: Power Theory in Economics, Institutional Economics and Path Dependency, Political Economy of Development, Structural Power and Dependency Theory, Game Theory and Bargaining Power, Behavioural Economics and Power Perception, and Critical Development Theory. These perspectives illuminate how power shapes resource control, governance, inequality, and institutional evolution. Case studies from sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa’s land ownership debates, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s resource governance, and Ethiopia’s industrialisation drive, exemplify the embeddedness of power in development strategies. The chapter further examines the implications of power asymmetries for governance, institutional reform, and global economic relations, highlighting elite capture, external influence, and structural dependency. Special emphasis is placed on how these dynamics interact with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Institutional reforms in countries such as Botswana, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are critically analysed to demonstrate how governance, accountability, and inclusivity determine development trajectories. By synthesising classical and contemporary theories with empirical case evidence, this chapter establishes power as a central explanatory variable in economic growth and institutional development. It concludes that addressing systemic inequalities and rebalancing power structures are prerequisites for equitable and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing regions.