Ruins and Rhythms of Development and Life After Progress

Bibliographic Data

ID2143121
AuthorsStine Krøijer (0000-0002-9847-1745, University of Copenhagen, corresponding author), Marie Kolling (0000-0002-7696-1022, Danish Institute for International Studies, Copenhagen, Denmark), Atreyee Sen (0000-0002-8052-4351, University of Copenhagen)
Year2021
Volume86
Issue5
Pages877-896
Publication date2021-10-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueEthnos (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0014-1844 • E-ISSN: 1469-588X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00141844.2020.1725092
OpenAlexW3008427384
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited48

Since the rise of capitalist modernity, communities across the world have been convinced by the potential of development and progress. This article steps aside from the idea of continuous and unilinear change, and examines contemporary afterlives of broken developmentalist dreams. By assembling ethnographies from countries politically defined as growth-engines in three different regions of the world (Brazil, Germany and India), we propose that development no longer inspires the same aspirations about progress. By exploring how material decay and shattered expectations become intimately woven into the everyday experiences of local opulations, we show how the ruinous effects of pursuing economic growth leaves ordinary people to a life on their own terms. At this current historical juncture, we argue for the analytical productiveness of exploring 'the after' rather than 'the otherwise'. This is pursued through an interrogation of the irregular rhythms of 'life after progress

Aesthetics · Art · Geography · Rhythm · Anthropological Studies and Insights · History · Youth Education and Societal Dynamics