"Development implies an all-encompassing change, not just an improvement in one aspect. It also implies a process that builds on itself, meaning continuous change, and development is a matter of changes occurring at the social level and the individual level at the same time." (p.24)
My thoughts: Development is a simple word but has many implications. The text says that development (which strives for a distinct outcome) is different from progress, which is continuous improvement overall. However people call it, development to me means the efforts that contribute to bettering the economy, which is supposed to alleviate poverty and bridge the gap between rich and poor. The more money the government has, the better it can provide basic services for the people. It means improving technology, education, life expectancy, infrastructure and communication. Overall, the marks of development is seeking to improve life. The United States is a developed country. Our livelihoods has improved over the past few centuries. However, this took lots of time, we made a lot of mistakes, fought some wars, flourished from free slave labor etc. There is no quick fix. So whatever we call development, this process will always be take place because trade must go on. There is no perfect economy and there are always improvements to be made, research being done. Resources and power are shifting daily in the global economy which free some but restrict others, so development will be sticking around for a long time.
"The survival of our civilization, and perhaps our very lives, depends on committing ourselves to an alternative development practice guided by the three basic principles of authentic development: justice, sustainability and inclusiveness- each of which is routinely and systematically violated by current practice." - Korten, 1995 (pp. 32-33)
My thoughts: I agree with adopting an alternative development practice but currently many actions in the world do not reflect these principles. Smaller organizations and social movements have moved forward in advancing these themes, through networking and working outside of the government. It is hard to incorporate these basic principles because their efforts do not make money. Market interests, wealth and politics often overshadow these attempts for people-centered development. Saying that the survival of our civilization depends on alternative development is a bit forward and I sense the author's urgency, but our civilization has been surviving all this time without 'development' for centuries. It's like saying the world is going to end if we don't change our light bulbs to be green and drive hybrid cars. Justice, sustainability and inclusiveness is happening and improving, but perhaps the most difficult one to adopt is inclusiveness.
definitions:
- immanent development means a spontaneous and natural change, so an example of immanent development is capitalism
- intentional development means a deliberate effort, referring to policy reform, state action and development agencies
- empowerment: is when people are given the tools to take direct control of their lives. This is often the goal for NGOs that promote community involvement. This sounds great! However there is the danger that empowerment is linked with democratization, meaning someone has to redistribute power, resources, and teach, but this 'someone' who decides can have slanted views. We need to investigate the 'trusteeship' of organizations, whether they have legitimate interest and capacity.
Summary: This chapter talks about the various views of development from structuralism and neoliberalsim to pro-market and protectionism. There is always a constant struggle between capitalism versus anti-free market. Trusteeship and empowerment are important aspects of 'doing development.' The three main senses from which development is used are 1) as a vision or measure of being a desirable society 2) as a historical process of social change 3) as a deliberate effort aimed to improve governments, agencies, organizations and social movements.
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