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Theorizing Postdevelopment

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  • Aram Ziai

    (University of Kassel)

Abstract

The paper seeks to define and situate postdevelopment (PD) theory within the social sciences by discussing its relation to other theoretical approaches. It concludes that PD can be seen to a rather limited extent as a development theory, but rather as a sociology of knowledge of this discipline and a critique of its foundation. PD shares the critique of capitalism with Marxism but also has a more negative view of industrial modernity, its relation to nature, economic growth and productivity. For some, PD is characterized by a spirituality alien to western modernity, although this does not seem to be necessary to subscribe to the approach. Although PD’s critique is intimately related to ecofeminist thinking (and ecofeminist authors), many of its male protagonists seem unaware of this proximity. PD is clearly a postcolonial (or decolonial) critique of colonial and neocolonial relations of power which can be found also in knowledge production, in particular in the division between the ‘developed’ Self (Europe and European settler colonies and other societies emulating them) and the ‘backward’ Other. And PD, at the least sceptical PD, is based on a post-anarchist perspective of ontological equality, oriented towards self-determination in the pluriverse and rearguard theories.

Suggested Citation

  • Aram Ziai, 2025. "Theorizing Postdevelopment," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 37(3), pages 500-523, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:37:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1057_s41287-024-00682-5
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-024-00682-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yvonne Underhill-Sem, 2002. "Embodying Post-Development: Bodies in places, places in bodies," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 45(1), pages 54-59, March.
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    3. Sally Matthews, 2017. "Colonised minds? Post-development theory and the desirability of development in Africa," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(12), pages 2650-2663, December.
    4. Christoph Neusiedl, 2019. "The ontological politics of (in-)equality: a new research approach for post-development," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(4), pages 651-667, April.
    5. Catherine Walsh, 2010. "Development as Buen Vivir: Institutional arrangements and (de)colonial entanglements," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 53(1), pages 15-21, March.
    6. Ulrich Brand & Markus Wissen, 2013. "Crisis and continuity of capitalist society-nature relationships: The imperial mode of living and the limits to environmental governance," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(4), pages 687-711, August.
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