In the mid 1980s development studies experienced a crisis, the often called impasse of de-velopment theory and policy (Schuurmann 1993). The reasons can be found on the level of development thinking and of “real-world changes and problems” (Simon 2003: 6). Devel-opment thinking got stuck in a cul-de-sac as both grand meta-narratives of development the-ory – Modernisation theory and radical Marxist approaches – lost their hegemony: radical alternative theories, based on Marxist and neo-Marxist political economy were discredited by the collapse of socialism. Modernisation theory, based in neoclassical economics did not seem to deliver many benefits as economic growth turned out to produce more ecological, social and economical problems than it solved (ibid.). It became clear that growth and the neo-liberal agenda with its structural adjustment programs (SAP) in the 1980s and 1990s was not necessarily connected to other development goals like employment creation, reduc-tion of inequality and poverty or the provision of basic needs.
The acceleration of globalisation and with it the questioning of the nation state as a “trusted point of reference” (Schuurman 2000: 7) of development studies intensified the crisis of de-velopment theory. Moreover new theoretical approaches like feminism, post modernism and post colonialism, and the growing recognition of heterogeneity of the third world, challenged development studies and theory even more (Schuurman 1993).
There have been two major reactions to the impasse of development theory and policy. The first reaction was the search for development alternatives with the intention of reforming and redefining the goals of development. The second reaction, post development thinking, was more radical as it rejects development as a whole.
However, development studies and practice survived the impasse and is back on the agenda: “a flourishing industry centred on social capital and social development has arisen in the World Bank, the UNDP and other multilateral institutions” (Hart 2001: 649). This paper aims to review alternative development (section 2) and post development (section 3), and analyses which contributions have helped to overcome the impasse.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction – The impasse of development studies
2. Alternative Development
Alternative vs. Mainstream development – the case of the feminist empowerment approach
3. Post Development
Critique on post development thinking
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the crisis in development theory known as the "impasse of development," exploring how the field responded to the failure of modernization and radical Marxist narratives. It specifically investigates the theoretical shift towards alternative development strategies and the more radical post-development school of thought, analyzing their effectiveness in shaping contemporary development discourse and practice.
- The historical context and causes of the development studies impasse.
- The dialectical relationship between mainstream development and alternative approaches.
- A case study on the feminist empowerment approach and its integration into the mainstream.
- The theoretical foundations and critiques of post-development thinking.
- The role of social movements and civil society as agents of change.
Excerpt from the Book
Alternative vs. Mainstream development – the case of the feminist empowerment approach
The radical feminist empowerment approach of DAWN (Development Alternatives with Women for a New era), a network of women from developing countries, was developed in the early 1980s and was first presented at the UN Conference on Women in 1985 in Nairobi. DAWN did not just claim participation and power for poor women and men, and the developing countries themselves. Rather they claimed an independent development which was not built on world market integration but on self-determination, self-sufficiency and sustainable local cycle-economies. Unequal social relations, such as gender relations, are interpreted as changeable power structures. Thus central to the approach is that those structures should be changed with the participation of women, their initiatives and organizations (Wichterich 1992).
To decide in which way DAWN’s empowerment approach challenged the mainstream, the perception of women and gender relations in mainstream development needs to be introduced. Due to feminist critique of development processes and theory women were, after they were long ignored or reduced to reproductive responsibilities, included in development processes and theory in the 1980s. The so-called women in development approach (WID) aimed to integrate women in economic processes. The argument of IMF and World Bank for the implementation of WID was an economic necessity to integrate and exploit the potential of women for economic development and growth (efficiency approach) (Rodenberg 1999).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction – The impasse of development studies: This chapter introduces the mid-1980s crisis in development theory, highlighting the decline of modernization and Marxist paradigms and the subsequent emergence of new theoretical challenges.
2. Alternative Development: This section explores how alternative development focuses on people-centered, participatory "development from below" and analyzes the dialectical process through which these radical ideas are often assimilated and weakened by the mainstream.
3. Post Development: This chapter details the post-development perspective, which rejects the very concept of development as a Western-centric construct, utilizing discourse analysis to critique its underlying power relations.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, noting that while both alternative and post-development perspectives challenge the status quo, the former shapes practice through continuous dialectic tension, while the latter serves primarily as a critical analytical framework.
Keywords
Development theory, Impasse, Alternative development, Post-development, Mainstream development, Feminist empowerment, DAWN, Discourse analysis, Social movements, Gender relations, Third World, Power structures, Neoliberalism, Sustainability, Participation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this assignment?
The paper addresses the "impasse of development theory," a crisis occurring in the mid-1980s where traditional development models lost their credibility, and explores the alternative paradigms that emerged in response.
What are the primary thematic areas of the research?
The key themes include the critique of modernization and neoliberal growth models, the rise of alternative people-centered approaches, and the radical post-development rejection of the development discourse itself.
What is the main research goal?
The objective is to critically review various alternatives to mainstream development and analyze how these perspectives have attempted to move beyond the theoretical impasse while influencing real-world practices.
Which scientific method is utilized in this paper?
The paper employs a critical review of existing theoretical literature and utilizes case study analysis, specifically focusing on the integration of the feminist empowerment approach (DAWN) into the mainstream development agenda.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the "alternative development" school, the assimilation of radical ideas into the mainstream, the "post-development" rejection of current modernization models, and a critical look at the limitations of these movements.
Which keywords characterize the essence of this work?
Key terms include development theory, impasse, alternative development, post-development, power structures, discourse analysis, and feminist empowerment.
How does the author define the relationship between "mainstream" and "alternative" development?
The author describes this as a dialectical relationship where the two influence each other; however, they note that the mainstream frequently absorbs radical alternative ideas, often stripping them of their initial radical content.
What is the central critique of the post-development school?
The paper notes that while post-development provides a vital critical analysis of Western power and discourse, it is often criticized for failing to offer constructive alternatives and for oversimplifying the complexity of mainstream development.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Cynthia Dittmar (Autor:in), 2008, The so called ‘impasse of development theory’ and the alternatives proposed to move beyond it, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/131930
