Summary

Postdevelopment theory is a field of thought in contemporary development studies that has generated considerable debate. It is difficult to define what exactly postdevelopment theory is, but its proponents generally reject past development theory and practice and call for “alternatives to development” as opposed to “alternative development.” Indeed, postdevelopment theory was a product of the disappointment felt by many at the apparent failure of development and at the impasse with which development studies seemed to be confronted by the late 1980s. Postdevelopment writers argue that development is not simply a set of projects aiming to address a set of problems, but rather a “cast of mind,” an “ideology,” an “interpretive grid,” a “discourse,” and a “myth.” Most are also highly critical of contemporary Western society and highlight various problems of the West, including what they believe is the parasitical nature of the developed world with regard to underdevelopment. Given the radical assumptions of postdevelopment theory, it is not surprising that it has attracted significant criticism. One of the most common criticisms is that postdevelopment theory does not provide an adequate alternative to development. The new focus on the part of postdevelopment theorists, their willingness to work alongside other critical development theorists, and their shift away from an emphasis on critique helps resolve some of these criticisms. Nevertheless, a number of key challenges remain, such as the need to clarify the relationship between those who advocate postdevelopment and those who advocate some kind of alternative development.