Post-Development Approaches

Term: 1999-2002
Sponsor: Graduiertenförderung North Rhine-Westphalia

In spite of all disagreements in development theory it is possible to identify a development paradigm which guided theory and practise in the post-war period until the "crisis of the development" in the 1980s. The Post-Development critique rejects the development paradigm with reference to cultural differences and claims that the idea of development acts as an ideology within the relations between the "developed" industrial societies and the "less developed" countries. Even if it shows numerous weaknesses, it is unquestionable that the Post-Development critique draws the attention to the eurocentrism and the hegemonic form of the development paradigm. Their central thesis was reformulated in the research project on the basis of a discourse-theoretical ideology concept as well as a more thoroughly history of theory study and empirically examined using some of the developmental organisations as an example. Thereby, not only the transformation of the classical development paradigm under the signs of (i.a.) of new world order, neoliberal globalisation and ecological crisis becomes clear but also the basic formation rules of the development discourse.

University of Kassel, 1.-2. October 2014

At this workshop a dozen scholars gathered to launch a research project dedicated to the operationalisation, empirical application and theoretical refinement of Post-Development approaches. These are concerned with alternatives to dominant Western models of politics, the economy, knowledge and the improvement of livelihoods. The empirical part of the research will take place in South Africa, Ghana, Iran, Bolivia, and Germany under the supervision of resident researchers investigating local alternative concepts and practices. The advisory board of the project consists of leading proponents as well as critics of Post-Development such as Arturo Escobar, Alberto Acosta, Wolfgang Sachs, Jan Nederveen Pieterse, and Katherine Gibson.

For a glimpse into the discussions at the workshop, see the following presentations:
• Aram Ziai on “Post-Development as a theoretical position. Some reflections”
• Julia Schöneberg on “The Question of Alternatives: Alternative Development or Alternatives to Development?”
• Oscar Vega Camacho on “Plurinational State and Vivir Bien”
• Sally Matthews on “African Alternatives to Development: Ubuntu and the Post-Development Debate”
• Kwesi Aikins on “‘One Head Does not Go to Council.’ Ghanaian Concepts Beyond ‘Development’”
• Yaser Bagheri on “‘Development’ and ‘Backwardness’. History of these Concepts in Iran”
• Daniel Bendix on “Reflecting the (Post-)Development Gaze – Struggles for a Decent Life in Germany”

List of participants:
• Adomako Ampofo, Akosua, Prof. Dr., University of Ghana, Institute of African Studies
• Aikins, Joshua Kwesi, University of Bielefeld, Graduate School in History and Sociology
• Anyidoho, Nana Akua, Dr., University of Ghana, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research
• Bendix, Daniel, Dr., University of Kassel, Faculty of Social Science, Research Area Development and Postcolonial Studies
• Carballo, Ana Estefanía, University of Westminster and International Center for Development and Decent Work, University of Kassel
• Dübgen, Franziska, Dr., University of Göttingen, Lichtenberg Kolleg
• Heine, Yvonne, Social Scientific Women’s Research Institute Freiburg
• Neuburger, Martina, Prof. Dr., University of Hamburg, Institute of Geography
• Mann, Silvia, University of Kassel, Faculty of Social Science, Research Area Development and Postcolonial Studies
• Matthews, Sally, Dr., Rhodes University Grahamstown, Department of Political Science and International Relations
• Schöneberg, Julia, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research, Department of Political and Cultural Change
• Vega Camacho, Oscar, Dr., Universidad Católica Boliviana La Paz
• Ziai, Aram, Prof. Dr., University of Kassel, Faculty of Social Science, Research Area Development and Postcolonial Studies