Comments on: How the British Invented “Development” to Keep the Empire and Substitute for Racism http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/ just asking that aid benefit the poor Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:48:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: pwyll http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-6618 pwyll Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:59:09 +0000 http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/#comment-6618 Sounds like the whole context that Easterly in arguing within is wrong. This seems apropos: <a href="http://unqualified-reservations.blogspot.com/2007/08/country-that-used-to-exist.html" rel="nofollow">http://unqualified-reservations.blogspot.com/2007/08/country-that-used-to-exist.html</a> As do these two pieces on Egypt, then and now: <a href="http://unqualified-reservations.blogspot.com/2007/07/i-wonder-if-jonah-goldberg-talks-about.html" rel="nofollow">http://unqualified-reservations.blogspot.com/2007/07/i-wonder-if-jonah-goldberg-talks-about.html</a> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/world/africa/20cairo.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/world/africa/20cairo.html</a> Sounds like the whole context that Easterly in arguing within is wrong.

This seems apropos: http://unqualified-reservations.blogspot.com/2007/08/country-that-used-to-exist.html

As do these two pieces on Egypt, then and now:

http://unqualified-reservations.blogspot.com/2007/07/i-wonder-if-jonah-goldberg-talks-about.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/world/africa/20cairo.html

]]> By: JR Villaveces http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-6552 JR Villaveces Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:26:14 +0000 http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/#comment-6552 Dr. Easterly, I found your blog interesting, however I was unconvinced by some of the arguments made in the book that 'development' originated with WWII. I think that you are getting at something by pointing at 'failed states' theory as being imperialistic, although most humanitarian justifications for invasion are currently based on the 'responsibility to protect' clause of International Humanitarian Law, which French President Sarkozy among others argues overrides state sovereignty in some cases, ie., Myanmar which refused to accept Bush's $1 million in US military-delivered aid. Best regards, JRV Dr. Easterly,

I found your blog interesting, however I was unconvinced by some of the arguments made in the book that ‘development’ originated with WWII. I think that you are getting at something by pointing at ‘failed states’ theory as being imperialistic, although most humanitarian justifications for invasion are currently based on the ‘responsibility to protect’ clause of International Humanitarian Law, which French President Sarkozy among others argues overrides state sovereignty in some cases, ie., Myanmar which refused to accept Bush’s $1 million in US military-delivered aid.

Best regards,

JRV

]]> By: Mari http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-6551 Mari Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:31:18 +0000 http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/#comment-6551 Easterly, do you know the work of Raul Prebisch or Celso Furtado? If you do, what are your thoughts about their take on poverty gap? Easterly, do you know the work of Raul Prebisch or Celso Furtado? If you do, what are your thoughts about their take on poverty gap?

]]> By: Stephen Jones http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-6550 Stephen Jones Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:08:29 +0000 http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/#comment-6550 <blockquote>The idea that the purpose of the Empire was to promote "development" of the whole colony out of poverty and into prosperity (i.e. something that looked like England) was new at the time of WWII.</blockquote>Sorry, Bill, but I'm dubious. The idea of the west providing technology led progress was made manifest in the Great Exhibition of 1851. I suggest a reading of that fine novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Siege-Krishnapur-Review-Books-Classics/dp/159017092X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253189220&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">The Siege of Krishnapur</a>

The idea that the purpose of the Empire was to promote “development” of the whole colony out of poverty and into prosperity (i.e. something that looked like England) was new at the time of WWII.

Sorry, Bill, but I’m dubious. The idea of the west providing technology led progress was made manifest in the Great Exhibition of 1851. I suggest a reading of that fine novel, The Siege of Krishnapur

]]> By: gaddeswarup http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-6549 gaddeswarup Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:42:42 +0000 http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/#comment-6549 Books like "Signal and Noise" by Brian Larkin indicate that there were divisions in the British Foreign Office about development agendas. More systematic views and programs of devlopment may be due to American foundations: <a href="http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/oss/ideologyofphilanthropy.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/oss/ideologyofphilanthropy.htm</a> Books like “Signal and Noise” by Brian Larkin indicate that there were divisions in the British Foreign Office about development agendas. More systematic views and programs of devlopment may be due to American foundations:

http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/oss/ideologyofphilanthropy.htm

]]> By: Brian http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-6548 Brian Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:00:56 +0000 http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/#comment-6548 As a side note, any chance that you could post some good books on the current state of international aid and development? Are there any books that discuss 'parachute and suitcase' medicine (or other short term, non stustainable operations) and their pitfalls? I think one of the more difficult aspects of aid today is convincing those who believe that since the poor have little anything is better than nothing - which couldn't be further from the truth! It seems like no matter which way you approach it people are going to feel defensive unless they make the realization themselves. thanks in advance! As a side note, any chance that you could post some good books on the current state of international aid and development? Are there any books that discuss ‘parachute and suitcase’ medicine (or other short term, non stustainable operations) and their pitfalls? I think one of the more difficult aspects of aid today is convincing those who believe that since the poor have little anything is better than nothing – which couldn’t be further from the truth! It seems like no matter which way you approach it people are going to feel defensive unless they make the realization themselves.

thanks in advance!

]]> By: hapa http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-6547 hapa Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:37:12 +0000 http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/#comment-6547 link to someone's excellent comment on this article: <a href="http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2009/09/the-origin-of-development-as-cover-for-imperialism-and-racism.html?cid=6a00d83451b33869e20120a5767f39970b#comment-6a00d83451b33869e20120a5767f39970b" rel="nofollow">http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2009/09/the-origin-of-development-as-cover-for-imperialism-and-racism.html?cid=6a00d83451b33869e20120a5767f39970b#comment-6a00d83451b33869e20120a5767f39970b</a> link to someone’s excellent comment on this article:

http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2009/09/the-origin-of-development-as-cover-for-imperialism-and-racism.html?cid=6a00d83451b33869e20120a5767f39970b#comment-6a00d83451b33869e20120a5767f39970b

]]> By: LorenzofromOz http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-6546 LorenzofromOz Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:34:37 +0000 http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/#comment-6546 Stephen Jones <i>British racism in India, and attacks against miscegenation long pre-date the Suez Canal. They have a lot to do with the growth of Puritanism in England in the 1830s, a period when the young were embarrassed by the temperate language of their elders.</i> I do not think 30 years counts as "long predates", but I am happy to accept the extra complication, though I was more interested in the patterns of intermarriage. <i>The idea of the British being good for the natives goes back to Kipling</i> Much earlier than that. Bill Easterly <i>The idea that the purpose of the Empire was to promote "development" of the whole colony out of poverty and into prosperity (i.e. something that looked like England) was new at the time of WWII.</i> I think if you look at the program for India's Dominion status you will find that is a little overstated. Stephen Jones

British racism in India, and attacks against miscegenation long pre-date the Suez Canal. They have a lot to do with the growth of Puritanism in England in the 1830s, a period when the young were embarrassed by the temperate language of their elders.

I do not think 30 years counts as “long predates”, but I am happy to accept the extra complication, though I was more interested in the patterns of intermarriage.

The idea of the British being good for the natives goes back to Kipling

Much earlier than that.

Bill Easterly

The idea that the purpose of the Empire was to promote “development” of the whole colony out of poverty and into prosperity (i.e. something that looked like England) was new at the time of WWII.

I think if you look at the program for India’s Dominion status you will find that is a little overstated.

]]> By: Jon Custer http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-6545 Jon Custer Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:14:21 +0000 http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/#comment-6545 @Nwabu: I don't know about DFID but USAID considers the fact that most of their budget is spent in the US to be a selling point, at least when reporting to Congress. I recall reading a report c. 2004 where they were quite openly bragging that something like 80% of the budget made its way back to the US economy in one form or another. @Nwabu: I don’t know about DFID but USAID considers the fact that most of their budget is spent in the US to be a selling point, at least when reporting to Congress. I recall reading a report c. 2004 where they were quite openly bragging that something like 80% of the budget made its way back to the US economy in one form or another.

]]> By: James A. Donald http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-6544 James A. Donald Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:12:01 +0000 http://aidwatchers.com/2009/09/how-the-british-invented-%e2%80%9cdevelopment%e2%80%9d-to-keep-the-empire-and-substitute-for-racism/#comment-6544 Subsequent events demonstrate that the British really were superior: When the British left, it became apparent that many colonies were "but little removed from their primitive state" Subsequent events demonstrate that the British really were superior: When the British left, it became apparent that many colonies were “but little removed from their primitive state”

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