origins of theories of development holly scheib, mph msw
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Medieval Medieval Period/FeudalismPeriod/Feudalism
5th-14th centuries: church in control of society
Feudalism: political, economic, and social systems; land the source of power
Medieval Worldview Circular, fatalistic Faith, superstition Famine, disease are inevitable Social conditions are fixed
The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment European literary and philosophical movement, 1660-
1770
The “Age of Reason”
Belief in the powers of reason to understand nature and guide the human existence
The essential equality and dignity of all people and in basic human rights to freedom and happiness
Overcome superstition, deception, tyranny and oppressive traditions
A humane and rational approach to the organization of human life and society
An emphasis on moderation, proportion, balance (music, art, architecture
Enlightenment…Enlightenment… Progress is possible… through SCIENCE
Human intervention in history is directed towards steady and unlimited improvement in the human condition
Contract with medieval circular, fatalistic views (e.g.: famine and disease are not inevitable, not natural)
Enlightenment Metaphor: THE CLOCK
Enlightenment…Enlightenment… “Mechanistic” worldview
Isaac Newton’s universe Rene Descartes: Cartesian coordinates
Natural laws that can be discovered through empirical observation and rational thought Scientific method: “Truth” vs. tradition,
religious edicts
Means more freedom, possibilities for improving lives
Introduces the “Modern” age (vs. Medieval and “Post-Modern”)
WorldviewWorldview The general understanding a community
possesses about the world in which it exists.
A set of commonly held values, ideas, and images concerning the nature of reality and the role of humanity within it.
Comprehensive meaning system, providing a frame of reference (often unconscious) for interpreting the world.
RationalityRationality … the quality of being consistent with or
based on logic…
… the state of having good sense and sound judgment…
Many types… depends on the context. Scientific, technical, instrumental, political, communicative, economic…
TheoryTheory Systematic set of propositions to explain
and predict the world
Has testable hypothesis
Emerges from modern enlightenment science and social science
Vs. IdeologyVs. Ideology A body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and
interests of a group, society, nation, political system, etc., and underlies political action
A relatively coherent system of values, beliefs, or ideas shared by some social group and often taken for granted as natural or inherently true
… ideologies continually in conflict within any society; at any given point, however, certain ones are always dominant.
Is taken for granted and not always challenged.
Paradigm(s)Paradigm(s) From Greek: paradeigma, which means
“model, pattern, example”
a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind (Merriam Webster)
… explains the world to us and helps us to predict its behavior. When we are in the middle of the paradigm, it is hard to imagine any other paradigm
“A paradigm is a framework of thought… a scheme for understanding and explaining certain aspecs of reality” (Marilyn Ferguson)
Modern ParadigmModern Paradigm Post-Descartes period with emphasis on
individualism, the intellect, the universality of judgment, and the consequence of adopting these features
Replacing faith in superstition with faith in science and objectivity could build us a better world
Objective and factual language
Optimistic worldview: human reason and science are sufficient to understand the world and solve its problems
Modern Economic Modern Economic GrowthGrowth
Debating 18th century Schools of Thought
Mercantilism: Trade = fundamental source of wealth Natural tendency of mercantilism is to produce
wealth
“Physiocrats”: ruled by nature (Adam Smith) “First economic theory” Examined economy as machine Wealth came from land, use of it Gov’t interference hinders “natural laws”
governing the economy Laissez faire policies, liberalization of markets
Classical TheoristsClassical Theorists David Ricardo: Comparative Advantage
Differential relative price of labor, production leads to cheaper & more products through specialization, trade
Adam Smith: “invisible hand” Hand guides markets (supply, demand,
selfishness) Specialization and industrialization of process
Jeremy Bentham: Utilitarianism Cost-benefit analysis “public good” = aggregate
of individual welfare
(~late 18th, early 19th centuries)
Classical to Classical to NeoClassicalNeoClassical
Classical economics Attention to wealth of nations & overall
societal wellbeing
Neo-classical economics (mid 19th C) Mathematical, ahistorical
Walras, Pareto Individual behavior, supply-demand, micro-
economics Flawed assumptions
Perfect markets, no transaction costs…
2020thth Century Economic Century Economic GrowthGrowth
Great Depression
Keynesian demand-side economics Gov’t spending New “paradigm” for “development”
WWII, Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan
Field of Development Economics
The rise of The rise of development development
economicseconomics Demand-side: government intervention in
the economy Civilian Conservation Corps, Tennessee Valley
Authority
Lewis “Dual Model”
Gunnar Myrdal “Cumulative Causation”
Albert Hirschmann “Unbalanced Growth”
Perroux: Growth Poles
Dudley Seers
A Dominant A Dominant Paradigm…Paradigm…
… in modernization and development economics:
Stages of Growth (Rostow: Anti-communist manifesto) 5 linear stages of evolution
Traditional Society Preconditions for take-off Take off Drive to Maturity High Mass Consumption
How? Some StrategiesHow? Some Strategies Economic growth & development
Specialization, industrialization Foreign trade Mobilize savings and investment
Social & Cultural development Education Social policies Government bureaucracy Urbanization
Indicators of Indicators of modernization?modernization?
Economic Comparative advantage & trade Rapid growth Industrialization (sectoral change) Investment Exports
Social-cultural change Education growth Urbanization Family Size Achievement orientation Secular Values Consumption
Next ClassNext Class Healy, L. (2009). Chapter 2, Theories and Concepts
Underpinning International Social Work: Globalization. In: International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World, Second Edition. Oxford University Press. Pages 25-51.
Elder, L. and Paul, R. (2009). Asking Essential Questions. Dillon Beach, California: The Foundation for Critical Thinking. Introduction and Part I, pages 3-20.
Key Concepts: Globalization, Structural Adjustment, Trade, Debt