socibookedu2

Societal Learning
Books for a Better World

The Development Dictionary
A Guide to Knowledge as Power
Edited by: Wolfgang Sachs

The notion of development is a Western myth and it is aptly shattered in the course of this book. The content, not only well conceived but also well configured, eloquently takes the reader through the maze of historical perspectives and ideological frameworks from which the whole idea of development took its contemporary form. The book untangles this maze step-by-step for the readers, so it can be safely said that it provides an exceptional starting point for those new to the study of development.

The book features writings of some of the most prominent writers, 'unconventional scholars' and critics of development like Majid Rahnema, Ivan Illich, Gustavo Esteva, C. Douglas Lummis, Marianne Gronemeyer etc. Their works and views are compiled as one integrated, exemplary collection of essays with the first one covering the very concept itself (i.e. development) and the succeeding ones being linked by the convincing agenda framed for readers in the brilliant introduction written by Wolfgang Sachs. All the essays present a meticulous analysis of intense issues like poverty, production, technology, resources, population, environment, socialism, etc; the primary concerns raised by those who believe in eradicating global injustice which has made mere survival grueling for millions of people all over the world. In short, the buzzwords of this century are comprehensively reviewed and critically presented in the context of the development story of the last 40 years. This book poses an intellectual challenge not only to our preconditioned mindsets but also to the whole ideology of the development era.

Year of Publication: 1992
Published by: Zed Boos Ltd.

Ancient Futures
Learning from Ladakh
By:Helena Norberg-Hodge

Helena Norberg-Hodge is the first westerner in modern times to master the Ladakhi language. She has been working for the past seventeen years with the Ladakhi people to protect their culture and environment from the devastating effects of rapid modernization.

In Ancient Futures - Learning from Ladakh, Helena Norberg-Hodge provides comprehensive evidence of the cultural and human destruction caused by 'Eurocentric' forms of development. She describes the changes that take place in this peaceful and strongly knit civilization after the ascendancy of modernization and development. The reader is taken on a journey of Ladakh, a remote area in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, divided between Muslim Pakistan and Hindu India. A place of few resources and a climate of extremes, it was home to a thriving culture for more than a thousand years; a society co-existing, sharing and living efficiently on scarce resources.

However, in the last two decades, Ladakh has become increasingly exposed to modern influences, brought on largely by tourism and development. Ladakhis are unquestionably adopting 'modern' ideas and practices projected by Westerners as the 'right way (the only way) to live'. The result, as Norberg-Hodge details, has been a shift towards a western life, giving rise to environmental and social problems. It's most destructive outcome has been the psychological disarray amongst Ladakhis, who now compare themselves with a glamorized media version of Western society. Ladakhi pride has been substituted by a lack of self-respect.

These and other effects on Ladakhi society have created a vital concern as to the 'actual' results of modernization and development. As the author critically reflects in her work, "development is the process of reducing all the diverse cultures of the world to a single monoculture. It is based on the assumption that needs are everywhere the same, that everyone needs to eat the same food, to live in the same type of house, to wear the same clothes. The same cement buildings, the same toys, the same movies and television programs find their way to the most remote corners of the world. Even language is becoming homogenized, since it is necessary to learn English to be part of the modern community".

In the last few chapters, Helena presents to readers her valiant efforts in the shape of a project in Ladakh. This project is helping Ladakhis in raising awareness for the need of a long-term ecological perspective on development which is also based on self-reliance and self-respect.

'Ancient Futures' is a chilling account of the contrast between Ladakh before and after development. The reader becomes entranced by the magnificent culture and practices of the Ladakhi people and shocked at the results of the development intrusion. This book is an eye-opener for countries around the globe that are paradoxically still experimenting with 'development' in order to progress.

Price: $US 12.00
Year of Publication: 1992
Published by: Sierra Club Books

*Articles*
Open Letters Societal Learning (Websites) Icon of Liberation Knowing Paulo Freire The Chomsky Archive Mass Media, Globalization and the Public Mind Rethinking Development Rethinking Education In Search of a New Paradigm of Quality Education An Illiterate's Declaration to the literacy Preacher Voice of the Voiceless Alternate Views An Interview with the Creator & Producer of Alternative Radio Final Analysis Other Articles Main Articles Subscribe now		Societal Learning *Books for a* Better World** The Development Dictionary A Guide to Knowledge as Power Edited by: Wolfgang Sachs The notion of development is a Western myth and it is aptly shattered in the course of this book. The content, not only well conceived but also well configured, eloquently takes the reader through the maze of historical perspectives and ideological frameworks from which the whole idea of development took its contemporary form. The book untangles this maze step-by-step for the readers, so it can be safely said that it provides an exceptional starting point for those new to the study of development. The book features writings of some of the most prominent writers, 'unconventional scholars' and critics of development like Majid Rahnema, Ivan Illich, Gustavo Esteva, C. Douglas Lummis, Marianne Gronemeyer etc. Their works and views are compiled as one integrated, exemplary collection of essays with the first one covering the very concept itself (i.e. development) and the succeeding ones being linked by the convincing agenda framed for readers in the brilliant introduction written by Wolfgang Sachs. All the essays present a meticulous analysis of intense issues like poverty, production, technology, resources, population, environment, socialism, etc; the primary concerns raised by those who believe in eradicating global injustice which has made mere survival grueling for millions of people all over the world. In short, the buzzwords of this century are comprehensively reviewed and critically presented in the context of the development story of the last 40 years. This book poses an intellectual challenge not only to our preconditioned mindsets but also to the whole ideology of the development era. Year of Publication: 1992 Published by: Zed Boos Ltd. Ancient Futures Learning from Ladakh By:Helena Norberg-Hodge Helena Norberg-Hodge is the first westerner in modern times to master the Ladakhi language. She has been working for the past seventeen years with the Ladakhi people to protect their culture and environment from the devastating effects of rapid modernization. In Ancient Futures - Learning from Ladakh, Helena Norberg-Hodge provides comprehensive evidence of the cultural and human destruction caused by 'Eurocentric' forms of development. She describes the changes that take place in this peaceful and strongly knit civilization after the ascendancy of modernization and development. The reader is taken on a journey of Ladakh, a remote area in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, divided between Muslim Pakistan and Hindu India. A place of few resources and a climate of extremes, it was home to a thriving culture for more than a thousand years; a society co-existing, sharing and living efficiently on scarce resources. However, in the last two decades, Ladakh has become increasingly exposed to modern influences, brought on largely by tourism and development. Ladakhis are unquestionably adopting 'modern' ideas and practices projected by Westerners as the 'right way (the only way) to live'. The result, as Norberg-Hodge details, has been a shift towards a western life, giving rise to environmental and social problems. It's most destructive outcome has been the psychological disarray amongst Ladakhis, who now compare themselves with a glamorized media version of Western society. Ladakhi pride has been substituted by a lack of self-respect. These and other effects on Ladakhi society have created a vital concern as to the 'actual' results of modernization and development. As the author critically reflects in her work, "development is the process of reducing all the diverse cultures of the world to a single monoculture. It is based on the assumption that needs are everywhere the same, that everyone needs to eat the same food, to live in the same type of house, to wear the same clothes. The same cement buildings, the same toys, the same movies and television programs find their way to the most remote corners of the world. Even language is becoming homogenized, since it is necessary to learn English to be part of the modern community". In the last few chapters, Helena presents to readers her valiant efforts in the shape of a project in Ladakh. This project is helping Ladakhis in raising awareness for the need of a long-term ecological perspective on development which is also based on self-reliance and self-respect. 'Ancient Futures' is a chilling account of the contrast between Ladakh before and after development. The reader becomes entranced by the magnificent culture and practices of the Ladakhi people and shocked at the results of the development intrusion. This book is an eye-opener for countries around the globe that are paradoxically still experimenting with 'development' in order to progress. Price: $US 12.00 Year of Publication: 1992 Published by: Sierra Club Books