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Lecture GEOG 270 Fall 2007 Sept 28, 2007
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GEOG/SIS 335 Geographies of the Developing World What (the heck) is development?
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Today ’ s Plan: 1. Where is the Third World, anyway? 2. What is development? 3. What is theory, and why do we care?
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What and Where is the “Third World?”
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Synonyms? ► Poor countries ► underdeveloped countries ► developing countries ► LDC ► Non-industrialized countries ► LIC ► non-aligned countries ► global South ► backwards ► less advanced ► Majority World ► “two-thirds world”
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Three Worlds
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Third & Fourth Worlds
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World Systems
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Human Development Index
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World Bank GNP Map
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Least Developed Countries
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Degree of Food Deprivation
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Although the term is not satisfactory, I will tend to use “Third World” in this class…
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What is Development?
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Defining Development “Gradual unfolding, fuller working out; growth; evolution…; well grown state, stage of enhancement; product; more elaborate form….” - Oxford English Dictionary (adapted in Potter et al, 2004) “Development is a founding belief of the modern world….In development, all the modern advancements in science, technology, democracy, values, ethics and social organization fuse into the humanitarian project of producing a better world” (Peet & Hardwick 1999) “for two thirds of the people of the earth, [the] positive meaning of the word ‘development’ - profoundly rooted after two centuries of its social construction - is a reminder of what they are not. It is a reminder of an undesirable, undignified condition. To escape from it they need to be enslaved to others’ experiences and dreams.” (Esteva 1992)
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► Who “does” Development? (Development Actors) Development actors/subjects
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► Who has Development “done” to them? (Development Subjects)
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We must always keep in mind when you use the term “development,” most people will understand it differently than you intend…
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What is a theory and why do we care? ► “…a system of assumptions, accepted principles, and rules of procedure devised to analyze, predict or otherwise explain the nature or behavior of a specified set of phenomena.” ( American Heritage Dictionary) ► A foundation upon which we base our beliefs and actions
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Theory (Continued) ► Even when we do not recognize or acknowledge it, we are acting (speaking, writing, mapping) under some form of theory. ► For instance, the way we assess our actions or those of others (i.e., “progress” in development) depends on the theories we deploy.
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Some Development Theories ( but certainly not all …)
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Modernization Theory ► Most pervasive theory in development, even today ► Characterizes societies as “traditional” or “modern”.
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1) Traditional society Rostow’ 5 Stages of Growth 2) Preconditions for Take-off 3) Take-off 4) Drive to maturity 5) Age of High Mass Consumption (Hurray!) Mass Consumption (Hurray!)
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Dependency Theory Economic and political systems different: Core and Periphery Structures of production not equal History is significant Scale
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Cornucopian Theory There is an abundance – a nearly inexhaustible supply – of material resources, guaranteed by market mechanisms and ever-improving technology. “Horn of Plenty” -- a curved goat's horn overflowing with fruit and ears of grain that is used as a decorative motif emblematic of abundance. (Merriam Websters)
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Take home messages ► The Third World is hard to define in a manner that all can agree upon. ► Development is also difficult, if not impossible, to define satisfactorily – it’s a “chameleon” word… ► Therefore we need to be aware of theory as it underpins and constructs the meanings of these terms for various actors and subjects of development
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