Developmentalism

Definition

Developmentalism is a belief system that emphasizes the importance of economic and social development as a means of improving the well-being of a population. It is often associated with the modernization of traditional societies and the adoption of Western-style institutions and practices. In the context of 15.6 Community, Development, and Broadcast Media, developmentalism refers to the ways in which media and communication technologies have been used to facilitate and promote development initiatives, particularly in the Global South.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Developmentalism is rooted in the belief that economic and social progress is essential for improving the quality of life for people in the Global South.
2. Broadcast media, such as radio and television, have been used as tools for disseminating information and promoting development initiatives in many developing countries.
3. Developmentalism has been criticized for its top-down, Western-centric approach, which often fails to take into account the unique cultural and social contexts of local communities.
4. Participatory communication approaches have emerged as an alternative to traditional developmentalist models, emphasizing the active involvement of communities in the development process.
5. The rise of new communication technologies, such as the internet and mobile phones, has led to the emergence of more decentralized and community-driven approaches to development.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of developmentalism has influenced the use of broadcast media in the context of community development.
  • Developmentalism has shaped the use of broadcast media, such as radio and television, as tools for promoting development initiatives in many parts of the Global South. The belief that economic and social progress is essential for improving the quality of life has led to the use of these media to disseminate information, educate the public, and encourage the adoption of Western-style institutions and practices. However, this top-down, Western-centric approach has been criticized for failing to account for the unique cultural and social contexts of local communities, leading to the emergence of more participatory communication approaches that emphasize the active involvement of communities in the development process.
• Analyze how the rise of new communication technologies has influenced the relationship between developmentalism and community development.
  • The emergence of new communication technologies, such as the internet and mobile phones, has challenged the traditional top-down, Western-centric approach of developmentalism. These technologies have enabled more decentralized and community-driven approaches to development, allowing local communities to participate more actively in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of development initiatives. This shift has led to the development of participatory communication approaches that emphasize the importance of local knowledge and the active involvement of communities in the development process. As a result, the relationship between developmentalism and community development has become more complex, with a growing emphasis on the need for more inclusive and collaborative approaches to development.
• Evaluate the extent to which developmentalism has been successful in promoting positive social and economic change in the Global South, particularly in the context of community development and the use of broadcast media.
  • The impact of developmentalism on social and economic change in the Global South has been mixed. While the use of broadcast media, such as radio and television, has helped to disseminate information and promote development initiatives, the top-down, Western-centric approach of developmentalism has often failed to account for the unique cultural and social contexts of local communities. This has led to the emergence of more participatory communication approaches that emphasize the active involvement of communities in the development process. However, the rise of new communication technologies has also enabled more decentralized and community-driven approaches to development, challenging the traditional tenets of developmentalism. As a result, the success of developmentalism in promoting positive social and economic change has been limited, and there is a growing recognition of the need for more inclusive and collaborative approaches to development that take into account the diverse needs and perspectives of local communities.

Related terms

Modernization Theory: A theory that suggests traditional societies can and should be modernized through the adoption of Western-style political, economic, and social institutions.

Dependency Theory: A theory that suggests the underdevelopment of certain regions is a result of their economic and political dependence on more powerful, developed nations.

Participatory Communication: An approach to communication that emphasizes the active involvement of communities in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of development initiatives.