DP 1: Development. Development?

In Development Perspectives class we approached the word development and its meaning in a very interesting and inspiring way, even if we mentioned and debated several examples for the misuse of this word and its original definition.

When we learnt about Rostow’s 5 phase development model (traditional society, precondition for takeoff, the takeoff process, the drive to maturity, and high mass consumption society) (1), I immediately formulated the question, why this model a one-way model is, which stops at the fifth stage. Today it is apparent that people in the so called developed countries (or North) are searching for ways to get out of the mass consumption handcuffs and turn back to older ideas used by traditional societies (output usually consumed by producers, barter trade, traditional methods of agriculture production). An example is the spreading of the permacultures. “The – permaculture- principles are based on observations of nature”(2) and “were derived from…study of pre-industrial examples of sustainable land use”(3). This was done the same way by our ancients and still being implemented by some indigenous groups. Developed citizens look curious and highly interested at this knowledge. This fact makes me rethink Rostow’s model to a circle form, where societies from phase 5 can get again to phase 1, stating that  the mass consumption society is not necessarily the most developed, most wanted stage.  A spiral form might be even more adequate projecting an advanced version of phase 1. However, this unique knowledge of the traditional society is about to disappear because of the so called development, if we think of development as a continuous economical growth, like in modernization theory. Societies are forced to take the “development” path of catching up, leaving behind all their valuable knowledge and experience to fit into a model. This can cause not only a big loss for the global society but is also incompatible with substantive freedom, which again is not depending from industrialization, according to Sen(4).

I believe that one’s freedom and dignity is hurt when not given fair chances for life. As we mentioned in the class, people need freedom to choose what they want to do and how they want to live their life happily. Like many criticizing voices, I do not support the way of development that we, developed people show the poor underdeveloped persons how to progress. As an example for another possible mode, I would like to mention my volunteering experience in Guatemala. I helped a local NGO (established and directed by a local person) to implement its educational goals for the local community (children, youth, adults) on its own way, knowing the needs of its people. International volunteers did not want to change the world or the way of life of Guatemalan people, but rather help them to achieve their own goals offering extra resources (knowledge, time, money). Parents appreciated when we took care of their children during the day, youth and adults took advantage of our free English classes offered to them, noticing the importance of it for their own future, and young mothers were grateful when they were taught how to cook healthier but still affordable meals. I believe that this way we did not force local people to do something they did not want but gave more or rather more equal opportunities to choose from in their future. Involving local teachers, cook, parents and the director we hoped to accomplish participatory development(5) in a small scope.

I look forward to learning more about the „rules of the game” to be able to empower more those in need.

Finally, I would like to share with you my favorite painting with its message: „Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (from Norman Rockwell, original in UN HQ NY,NY). I hope many of you can identify yourselves with the persons on the painting.

Resources:

(1) Rostow(1959): The stages of economic growth

(2) http://www.permaculture.org.uk/knowledge-base/article/what-is-permaculture

(3) Holmgren(1997): Weeds or wild nature

(4) Sen(1999): Development as Freedom

(5) Chambers(1983): Rural development

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