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Development Discourse and Post-Colonial Theory

Development Discourse and Post-Colonial Theory 77zis paper begins with an examination of the colonial nature of the development discourse focusing on examples of the masculinist and eurocentric narratives that are articulated within it and goes on to present post-colonial critiques in order to explore tl1e process of the de­ colonisation of Development Studies. Development Studies have remained largely untouched by recent contributions made in other disciplines (Geography, Social Anthropology, Literan; Criticism) which challenge the centrality of Western knowledge and forms of representation. In this paper it has been suggested that these debates offer Development Studies an opportunity to move beyond its colonial narratives and practices. For the poor in many countries of the '711ird World', the 1980s has been described as a lost decade. The poor have got poorer and inequalities persist and have often become exacerbated. 711ere has also been in the last 10 years some debate on what has been termed the 'impasse' in development theon;. 711is recent questioning of processes of development has been brought about by the recognition of the failure of much development planning to reduce in qualities and alleviate pouerty, and by post-modern, post-colonial and feminist critiques which have levelled challenges at the masculinist, eurocentric discourse articulated in http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development SAGE

Development Discourse and Post-Colonial Theory

Kothari, Uma
Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development , Volume 7 (1): 10 – Jul 1, 1997
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Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
© 1997 Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific
ISSN
1018-5291
eISSN
2074-0131
DOI
10.1177/1018529119970101
Publisher site
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Abstract

77zis paper begins with an examination of the colonial nature of the development discourse focusing on examples of the masculinist and eurocentric narratives that are articulated within it and goes on to present post-colonial critiques in order to explore tl1e process of the de­ colonisation of Development Studies. Development Studies have remained largely untouched by recent contributions made in other disciplines (Geography, Social Anthropology, Literan; Criticism) which challenge the centrality of Western knowledge and forms of representation. In this paper it has been suggested that these debates offer Development Studies an opportunity to move beyond its colonial narratives and practices. For the poor in many countries of the '711ird World', the 1980s has been described as a lost decade. The poor have got poorer and inequalities persist and have often become exacerbated. 711ere has also been in the last 10 years some debate on what has been termed the 'impasse' in development theon;. 711is recent questioning of processes of development has been brought about by the recognition of the failure of much development planning to reduce in qualities and alleviate pouerty, and by post-modern, post-colonial and feminist critiques which have levelled challenges at the masculinist, eurocentric discourse articulated in

Journal

Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development – SAGE

Published: Jul 1, 1997

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