A critical examination of the development discourse

The development discourse is about how people talk and think about making society better.
We often assume that "development" is a good thing, meaning it helps get rid of poverty,
brings prosperity, and makes life better for people who are suffering. However, the main way
we talk about development hides some important truths.
Even though everyone seems to agree on the idea of development and it is widely accepted
around the world, it is actually shaped by a specific history and culture. This means that the
ideas and practices we associate with development are influenced by certain groups of people
and may not always meet the diverse needs and desires of everyone. In other words, the way
we talk about development can ignore different perspectives and force one particular way of
progress onto societies.

To truly understand development, we need to question its assumptions, look at the power
dynamics behind it, and consider different ways of thinking. We should pay attention to ideas
that include everyone, protect the environment, value different cultures, and promote fairness.
By doing this, we can develop a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to making the world a
better place for everyone.

Conventional thinking on development

• The "Developer" viewpoint: This is the perspective of someone who wants to help
others and believes their actions will make people happy. They have good intentions but
may not fully understand the complexities of the situation or the different needs of the
people they are trying to help.
• The "Developed" viewpoint: This is the perspective of the people or communities who
are considered in need of development. They may feel pressured to change their
circumstances to match what others think is better for them. This viewpoint shows that
power imbalances can exist, and the people being "developed" may not have much say
in the process.
• The "Technocrat" viewpoint: Technocrats are experts who work for development
organizations or governments. They focus on technical solutions and efficiency in
achieving development goals. However, they may not always consider the local context
or involve the community in decision-making.
• The "Researcher" viewpoint: Researchers study development and want to prove that
their approach or theory is the best. They collect data and conduct studies to support
their ideas. However, their research may be influenced by biases and may not fully
capture the complex realities on the ground.
When we talk about development in everyday language, it often refers to things like building new houses or
improving photographs or films. These meanings are relatively straightforward and clear.However, when we
use the term "development" in a broader sense, it can have different interpretations and lead to debates. In
this context, development can refer to either a state or a process related to concepts such as:

• Material well-being: Development can be seen as an improvement in people's living conditions, such
as having access to basic necessities like food, water, housing, and healthcare.
• Progress: Development can signify advancements or improvements in various aspects of society,
such as education, technology, infrastructure, and governance.
• Economic growth: Development is often associated with economic growth, which refers to an
increase in a country's production and income over time.
• Social justice: Development can involve reducing inequalities and ensuring fairness and equal
opportunities for all members of society, regardless of their background or circumstances.
• Personal blossoming: Development can be viewed as the fulfillment of individuals' potential and the
enhancement of their capabilities, including their education, skills, and overall well-being.
• Ecological equilibrium: Development can be understood in terms of sustainable practices that
maintain a balance between human activities and the environment, ensuring the preservation of
natural resources for future generations.

These different interpretations of development can lead to debates because they reflect diverse perspectives
and values. People may have different priorities and understandings of what development should entail, and
these varying viewpoints can shape policy decisions and approaches to addressing societal challenges.

Problems with conventional definitions

Conventional definitions of development have some problems and underlying assumptions:

1. Social evolutionism: One assumption is that development means catching up with
industrialized countries. It suggests that less developed countries should strive to
become as advanced as wealthier nations. However, this overlooks the diversity of
cultures and alternative paths to development.
2. Individualism: Another assumption is that development focuses on developing
individuals. It emphasizes personal growth and success but may not fully consider the
well-being of communities and societies as a whole.
3. Economism: Development is often seen as achieving economic growth and higher
incomes. While important, this narrow focus can overshadow other important aspects
like social fairness, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation.
4. Normative: Conventional definitions of development often tell us what should happen
or what is considered good and desirable. They represent a specific idea of what
development should look like. However, this may not match the diverse needs and
desires of different communities and cultures. Each community may have its own
unique priorities and goals for development, and a one-size-fits-all approach may not
work for everyone.
 5. Instrumental: Conventional definitions of development focus on the purpose or goal of
development. They often see development as a way to achieve specific things, such as
improving people's living conditions or reaching certain targets. However, this approach
may not fully appreciate the importance of overall well-being and quality of life beyond
just achieving goals. Development is not just about reaching targets; it's about ensuring
that people have a good and fulfilling life in all aspects.
6. Intensifiers: Conventional definitions of development often use strong words like "more
democratic" or "more participatory" to emphasize areas that need improvement. This
suggests that the current conditions are lacking or not good enough. However, we
should question who decides what is considered "more" and whether these
perspectives truly represent the diverse range of people and their needs. Different
communities may have different ways of defining and achieving democracy or
participation, and it's important to respect and consider those diverse perspectives.
In summary, conventional definitions of development can be problematic because they tend to
prescribe a particular vision of what development should be, may prioritize reaching goals over
overall well-being, and may overlook the diverse perspectives and needs of different
communities. It's important to critically examine and challenge these definitions to ensure that
development approaches are inclusive, holistic, and responsive to the unique aspirations and
contexts of different communities and cultures.

Defining development: So, what is development?

Defining development is not just about social change because social change is something that
happens in every society all the time. According to Gilbert Rist, development consists of a set of
practices that can sometimes seem conflicting with each other. These practices are necessary
for society to continue functioning, but they involve transforming and sometimes destroying
the natural environment and social relationships. The main goal of development is to increase
the production of goods and services that are exchanged based on what people actually want
and need.
Development can be seen as part of the overall belief system of modernity. It appears as a set
of beliefs and practices that work together, even though there may be contradictions between
them.
To summarize, development involves various practices that aim to transform societies and the
natural environment. It focuses on increasing production and meeting people's demands.
However, it's important to critically analyze the contradictions and consequences of
development within the broader belief system of modernity.
Alternative interpretations of development

Modern notion of development

• Keynesian Revolution or European Recovery Programme: The modern notion of
development takes inspiration from the ideas of economist John Maynard Keynes, who
advocated for government intervention to stimulate economic growth. The European
Recovery Programme, also known as the Marshall Plan, was a post-World War II
initiative that aimed to rebuild war-torn European countries and promote economic
development.
• Political agenda of the USA: The United States has had a significant influence on the
modern notion of development. Its political agenda often includes promoting
democracy, market-oriented economies, and open trade as important aspects of
development.
• Growth theory: Growth theory focuses on understanding what factors contribute to
economic growth. It explores things like saving money, investing in new technologies,
and increasing productivity as ways to achieve development.
• Nationalist developmentalism: Many countries have adopted nationalist
developmentalism as a development approach. This means they prioritize their own
national interests and industries when planning for economic growth and
industrialization.
 • Authoritative intervention and planning systems: Governments play a central role in the
modern notion of development by intervening in the economy and establishing planning
systems. They use policies, regulations, and long-term plans to guide economic
development.
• Economic growth models: The modern notion of development places a lot of
importance on economic growth. Different models and strategies have been proposed
to stimulate economic growth, such as focusing on exporting goods, substituting
imports with domestically produced goods, or liberalizing markets.
• Aid mechanisms and UN agencies: International aid mechanisms, like foreign aid and
development assistance, help support development efforts. United Nations (UN)
agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), provide
technical support and work towards development goals.
• Decolonization and new states: The process of decolonization led to the creation of new
independent states. These countries sought to establish their own paths to
development, overcoming the effects of colonialism.

The objective of the modern notion of development is often to replicate the historical
experiences of more advanced countries in the Third World. This involves planning for
economic growth, industrialization, and societal progress in order to achieve similar levels of
developmen

Development: Economic growth vs. enhancing freedoms

When we talk about development, there are two main perspectives: one focuses on economic
growth, while the other emphasizes enhancing people's freedoms and well-being.
7. Economic Growth:
o This perspective sees development as mainly about making the economy grow,
measured by things like how much money is made and how much stuff is
produced.
o Supporters of this view believe that economic growth leads to better living
standards, more jobs, and improved infrastructure.
o The idea is that by focusing on economic growth, countries can reduce poverty
and inequality.
8. Enhancing Freedoms:
o This perspective says that development is about giving people more freedom
and opportunities to live better lives.
o It focuses on things like education, healthcare, gender equality, political
participation, and access to resources.
o Supporters of this view believe that development should empower individuals to
make choices that align with their values and goals.
Both perspectives have their pros and cons:
 • Some people argue that focusing on economic growth alone can overlook important
social and environmental issues.
• Others say that enhancing freedoms is crucial because it prioritizes human rights,
fairness, and overall well-being.
Finding a balance between economic growth and enhancing freedoms is important. It means
considering not only money and material things but also people's rights, equality, and the
environment. This way, we can work towards a development that benefits everyone and
ensures a sustainable and fair future

So, development can be defined as the following

Development as 'social transformation' or fundamental change:

• This means development is about making big and long-lasting changes in a society, like
shifting from an old system where farmers worked for feudal lords to a new system
where industries and businesses drive the economy. It can also mean increasing
people's income levels.
• The focus is on transforming the way a society functions and improving different aspects
of life.
Development as 'managed change' or intervention:

• This means development involves taking action and making plans to bring about
improvement, even if the desired changes don't always happen.
• It recognizes that people make deliberate efforts, like creating policies and programs, to
try to make things better. However, the results may not always match the intended
goals.

In simple terms, development can be seen as either making big changes in society or trying to
improve things through planned actions, even if the outcomes are not always as expected.