lect1.2

lect1.2

1. Are some groups more progressive than others?

   • "Some cultures, above all those of the West and East Asia, have proven themselves more prone to progress than others" (Harrison 2000)

2. Key words:

   • Cultural Turn (Cultural Paradigm)
     • 2 different approaches (in the 1990s)
       • How does culture matter?
         • Positive effects of including local cultures in development interventions [practice and participatory]
       • Does culture matter?
         • Effects of culture on econ outcomes [cultural affinity position/cultural determinism
         • Huntington and Harrison - Culture as the key var in explaining econ success
   • Cultural affinity position/cultural determinism
     • Cultural affinity position explaining econ outcome
       • Econ success of NICs (TW, HK, SK, SP) in the 1980's
         • Positive effects of culture on econ growth: particular cultural norms and values that shape positive econ behav
         • Challenges the one size fits all development model:
           • One size fits all development model: econ success based on the Western model of modernity and rationality
         • Econ growth with non- Western (Asian traditional) values
           • What is so distinct about these NICs?
             • Colonial legacies (positive?)
             • Trade relations (dependency?)
             • Strong role of state? (Developmental state)
             • Cultural Values = Confucius Values
       • Interrogating the cultural affinity position (cultural determinism)
         • Why is the culture affinity position so popular?
         • What are the key issues surrounding cultural determinism
         • What does the econ rise of China tell us about culture?
     • Why is cultural determinism appealing?
       • Generalization of culture - Increased predictability of group behav (shaped by relgs, traditional cult vals)
         • Econ outcomes determined by "progressiveness" of one's cultural values - Harrisson
     • Sen's view of culture - Challenging the cultural affinity position
       • One should recognize intercultural interactions, as well as the herterogeneous and dynamic nature of culture **variation within confucian countries
     • Risks of cultural determinism:
       • Oversimplification: the fates of coutnries are effectively sealed by culture (Sen's critique = variation within confucian countries)
       • Homogenizing groups (ignoring variatioin within cultural group)
       • Imposing oversimplified stereotypes on certain groups (racism)
       • Overshadowing other root causes and fators that affect developent (structural, power relations, uneven resource distribution)
       • Cultural justification of autocratic regimes (Asian values = prioritizing econ growth vs human rights)
       • Destruction of religious symbols during cultural revolution (1966-76)
         • "to smash the FOUR OLDS (old customs, old cult, habits and ideas)
           • Destruction of Confucianism during the revolution (Confucianism seen as root cause of feudalism)
   • Max Weber's Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (Theoretical roots) 1905
     • Main point: Affinity bw Protestantism (Calvinsim) and capitalism
       • Why Calvinism:
         • Strong anxiety over one's pre-destination (only some huamns are chosen to be saved)
         • Strong idea of "the calling" = highest form of moral obligation
           • Outcome: rigid self-discipline = an ethic of hard working
       • Weber's view regarding Confucian values = hierarchical social order, lack of rational values = not suitable for industrialization
         • ****Capitalism needs rational values and self-discipline, which facilitate regularized investment of capital
   • Progressive vs. Static Cultures - by Harrison
     • Progressive - facilitate development (positive sum mentality, future oriented, work and achievement-drive, focus on education, secular rational values)
     • Static - impede development (zero sum psych, nepotism/family connections, relgs influence)
     • Successful ethnic minority groups = equipped with progressive values??
     • Progressive = secular ratioinal, self expression values = liberal and inclusive
     • Static = traditional and survival values = lack of trust in society, ethnocentric
   • Confucianism
     • Confucianism destroyed in cult revolution cause seen as root cause of feudalism
       • Recent Revival - Celebration of Confucianism by poli leaders (Xi JinPing's active promo)
         • What are the poli meanings attached to recent emphasis on Confucious values?
         • Y are asian leaders obsessed to Confucianism? (XJP and SP's Lee Kuan Yew)
     • Essential teaching of Conf:
       • Order, hierarchy (unconditional loyalty to ruler and fam, social harmony based on compliance)
       • seen as poli tool for legitimizing cohesive dominance
     • Promo of new form of Conf highly regulated by state

3. Culture in development practice:

   • Failure of well intended interventions in the 1980's
     • Key Causes: Ignorance of local culture; top down, paternalistic attitude of development
   • Integration of local culture as an effective variable for successful development intervention
     • Role of local knowledge in bringing productive development outcomes
     • Positive affinity bw cultural paradigm and human development (bottom up, inclusive, participatory approach)

4. Different vars in econ outcomes:

   • Historical factors: Colonial legacies
   • Structural factors: Core-periphery trade relations (dependency theory)
   • Market Factors: free market econ (neoliberalism)
   • State factors: state institutions (developmental states)
   • Culture: impact of cultural values on econ

5. Conventional cultural attitude in development:

   • Modernization Theory: the only pathway for econ growth = modern and rational values
   • Traditional values as the key root causes for underdevelopment (post-colonial countries with "primitive values"
   • Essential binary between Western (modern, civilized) values and non-Western (traditional, primitive) values
   • Non- Western values are seen as impediment to development

6. "Successful" Anglo Protestant capitalist North A vs "Failed" Ibero-Catholic elements in Latin A (hispanic vals)