ABSTRACT
Contemporary scholarly literature includes arguments for abandoning the concept of “development.” Accordingly, rather than offering a literature review, this theoretical introduction explores the historical meanings of the term “development.” Employing a philosophical approach, it categorizes understandings of development as ontological, epistemological or axiological. The chapter examines multiple perspectives: The conventional modern Western conception of development, critiques from the epistemologies of the South, contemporary development discourses promoted by international organizations such as the United Nations and local alternatives that challenge linear, individualistic models of development. This discussion highlights the diversity within the discourse – only symbolically represented by the term “development” – and emphasizes the necessity of open dialogue among equal stakeholders.
