The development of development theory: Towards critical globalism

Abstract

This article presents, first, two arguments in the mode of development discourse analysis. Development thinking is usually regarded as an offshoot of the family of notions of evolution and progress and as part of western notions of change as growth. On the basis of a genealogy of development theory, this perspective is questioned. It displays an essentialism of ideas, overlooks discontinuities within western thought, exaggerates the special character of western notions of change, and privileges endogenous over exogenous change. The second argument is to view development theories in the plural ‐ diverging in terms of sociology and economics and in relation to different sectors. In each of these spheres different theories have been prevalent. In development theory, endogenous models of development have predominated to the neglect of diffusionist perspectives. The closing argument concerns the challenge of globalization, seeks to redefine development as global development, and argues for an in‐between position of critical globalism.