Development Theory: Third World Perspectives “A culture cannot survive if it attempts to be exclusive.” Mahatma Gandhi

Differing positions of 1st and 3rd world perspectives First World Enlightenment Positive approach to development 1st world in dominant position Global system of capitalism Third World ?

Differing positions of 1st and 3rd world perspectives (cont.) Enlightenment Positive approach to development 1st world in dominant position Global system of capitalism Counter-Enlightenment Negative encounters with 1st world, e.g. colonialism Underdog – subject to control by 1st world Alternative economic systems, e.g., self-provisioning

Temporal and geographical context of 3rd world development theory Late 19th century Europe Colonization of Asia, Latin America and Africa Socialism/Marxism in Russia

Phases of 3rd World Development Theory and Practice Dependency Theory Postmodernism and alternative paths to development

Phases of 3rd World Development Theory and Practice Postmodernism & alternative paths to development Local cultures destroyed via ‘development’ Inappropriate strategies Modernization invalid Dependency theory Contrast with modernization theorists Development has deteriorated 3rd world situation

1. Dependency Theory Radical/Marxist approaches to development of underdevelopment Third world economy linked to first world Lenin on imperialism

Role of the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) Raul Prebisch, Director (1948 est.) International trade exacerbates underdevelopment Historical phases of colonization and trade (transparency) Propose import substitution

Andre Gunder Frank, Capitalism and Underdevelopment in Latin America The thesis by Frank was simple: “the condition of developing countries is not the outcome of inertia, misfortune, chance, climatic conditions or whatever, but rather a reflection of the manner of their incorporation into the global capitalist system” (Potter et al. Geographies of Development)

2. World Systems Theory Immanuel Wallerstein Global economic system linked to capitalism Core, periphery and semi-periphery See map Account for growth of NICs

What does it mean to be developed What does it mean to be developed? Postmodernism and alternative approaches to development Different ways of interpreting development Australian case Politics of representation local knowledge vs. Western scientific knowledge Multiple paths to development Grassroots struggles The environment (The Chipko movement) Political autonomy (Chiapas, Mexico)

Conclusion: A Way Forward? Development by whom? For whom? Dominant ideologies of development Exploring the relationship among development, impoverishment, and environmental crisis