exam 2 week 8 Flashcards
What is the main argument of Post-development theory?
Post-development critiques universal development models and promotes diverse, locally-rooted alternatives to socio-economic progress. It challenges the traditional notion of development and advocates for alternatives to development, as seen in Wolfgang Sachs’ 1992 publication, where he declared development as a “ruin” in the intellectual landscape.
What were the key influences on the development of Post-development theory in the 1980s?
The early writings of Esteva, Escobar, Rehnema, Rist, and Latouche were influenced by scholars like Ivan Illich, Michel Foucault, Mohandas Gandhi, and Frantz Fanon. Illich critiqued Western industrial modernity, Foucault focused on power dynamics in knowledge construction, Gandhi advocated for decentralized village republics, and Fanon critiqued colonialism and European development approaches.
What were Ivan Illich’s critiques on Western modernity and development aid?
Ivan Illich critiqued Western modernity for creating dependency on institutions like doctors, schools, and churches, undermining autonomy. He argued against development aid in Latin America, stating it created counterproductive needs and neglected essential local goods and services. He advocated for “convivial politics,” promoting autonomy and self-help through accessible technologies and energy.
What were Michel Foucault’s contributions to understanding power, knowledge, and truth?
Michel Foucault analyzed the interplay between knowledge and power, revealing how truth is shaped by historical and social contexts. He cautioned against assuming universal truth, highlighting its dependence on the prevailing “regime of truth” in society. Foucault also introduced the concept of discourse, a system of representation intertwined with power relations, which influences behavior.
What were Frantz Fanon’s views on post-colonial independence?
Frantz Fanon engaged in anti-colonial movements, particularly in Algeria, and witnessed the brutality of French colonization. He warned against the rise of post-colonial elites, cautioning that political independence alone could perpetuate oppression. He urged Third World countries to reject European models and forge unique paths toward liberation and self-determination.
What were Mohandas Gandhi’s contributions to post-development thought?
Mohandas Gandhi advocated for decentralized governance, promoting village republics as an alternative to centralized state power. He emphasized living a “simple life” and critiqued consumerism, which inspired post-development scholars. Gandhi also criticized technological progress and wealth concentration, advocating for equitable distribution and societal betterment.
How did “development” emerge after World War II?
“Development” emerged during decolonization post-World War II, primarily as a geopolitical tool to maintain Western dominance. President Truman’s “development” program aimed at containing communism rather than providing humanitarian aid. This created a perception of inferiority among “underdeveloped” nations, fostering a sense of inadequacy and dependency.
What is the critique of Western standards in the context of development discourse?
Western norms homogenized diverse cultures as “underdeveloped.” Statistical measurements overlooked cultural richness, distorting perceptions of poverty. Examples like Tepito and Ladakh show how external influences can alter self-perception and exacerbate poverty.
How is economic growth traditionally measured, and what alternatives are suggested?
Measuring economic growth using GDP: GDP focuses on short-lived goods and ignores negative externalities like environmental damage. Alternative indices such as the Gross National Happiness Index and Happy Planet Index offer broader perspectives beyond just economic output.
How did the development era define the “good life”?
The development era linked the “good life” with material wealth and economic growth, neglecting subsistence economies.
What does Vandana Shiva critique about development?
Vandana Shiva critiques development as perpetuating colonization and exploiting women’s labor, and she highlights the narrow definition of poverty as lack of cash income, ignoring deprivation from land enclosures and capitalism’s effects.
How does post-development critique economics?
Post-development criticizes the focus on consumerism and material growth, arguing for well-being beyond just money. It challenges the idea of scarcity and highlights social bonds over market-driven actions, as discussed by thinkers like Escobar and Latouche.
What is Gustavo Esteva’s stance on Western development and consumerism?
Esteva challenges the imposition of Western development ideals on diverse societies, critiques consumerism perpetuated by Western media, and advocates for voluntary frugality. He highlights the devaluation of non-market resources and activities in development discourse.
What is the concept of “Development as an Amoeba”?
Development has evolved beyond just economic growth, incorporating ideas like basic needs, endogenous development, and human development. Despite this evolution, GDP remains a central measure, making “development” a vague and adaptable term. It includes a variety of interventions, from infrastructure projects to social programs, all under the guise of progress.
What are the persistent characteristics of development, as discussed in the concept of “Development as an Amoeba”?
-The imperative of economic growth.
The legitimation of intervention into “less developed” societies.
A Eurocentric view of progress and knowledge attribution.
The utilization of a universal scale for societal comparison.
What are Arturo Escobar’s main critiques of development?
he was a anti development scholar
Development keeps the same old ideas, even when things change.
It often ignores the strengths of local cultures and focuses on what’s “missing.”
It pushes a European view of progress and ignores other ways of knowing and living.
What is depoliticization in development?
It’s when complex issues like poverty are reduced to simple technical problems, ignoring the deeper political causes and power struggles behind them.
What does the term anti-politics machine refer to in development?
It refers to how development interventions, even if they claim neutrality, actually reinforce existing power dynamics and sideline political issues.
What does James Ferguson criticize about mainstream development?
Ferguson exposes how mainstream development ignores power dynamics, sidelining politics and leading to ineffective interventions.
What is the “anti-politics machine” as coined by James Ferguson?
The term “anti-politics machine” refers to how development interventions unintentionally strengthen power imbalances by treating poverty as just a technical issue, ignoring its political and social roots.
What are the reasons behind the end of development according to post-development theory?
Ecological Predicament: Industrialized countries’ productivity relies on unsustainable resource consumption, leading to environmental destruction.
Post-Cold War Geopolitical Shifts: The concept of development loses political and ideological support as universal material well-being remains elusive.
Growing Global Inequality: Despite development efforts, the gap between rich and poor nations widens, with traditional livelihoods destroyed and new ones inaccessible.
What is the ecological predicament related to the end of development?
Industrialized countries’ productivity relies on unsustainable resource consumption, which leads to environmental destruction, making the development model increasingly unviable.
What is Jeffrey David Sachs’ critique of traditional development?
Sachs critiques traditional development for its failure to reduce global disparities and its role in promoting Westernization, which leads to cultural homogenization. He advocates for a post-development approach focusing on equity, well-being, renewable resources, and separating economic growth from environmental harm, particularly addressing issues like climate change.
What is Alternative Development?
Alternative Development seeks to modify traditional development models within existing frameworks.
