In search of a new paradigm: development interventionism from a human dignity perspective

Abstract

“I shall sing no celebratory song!” Apparently, after more than fifty years of development co-operation this is how Philip Quarles van Ufford views the history of interventionism in the South since the idea of development emerged after World War II. “‘Something is rotten in the state of Development’ after more than fifty years of application”, he noted in a recent speech to Danish development researchers. Remarkably, those consistently expressed doubts on past efforts to transform society in the South through organized interventions, Quarles has in common with that other great critic of development co-operation, the late Prince Claus of the Netherlands; and with the latter he also shares the search for a new paradigm, based on the original pursuit of global responsibilities. This essay aims at an initial response to that quest. First I shall examine the critique, then go into the current mode of “human development” based on “human freedom”, and finally I shall try to lay certain foundations for an alternative paradigm.