Abstract
Ernst F. Schumacher'sSmall is Beautiful seems thoroughly persuasive even at the turn of the century, as reckless material development is increasingly recognized as a threat to peace. This article describes how his thought was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi's and Schumacher's ways of thinking are considered as alternative development theorees, different from any of those stemming from laissez-faire economics or Marxism. The formulation and proliferation of Schumacher's ideas about intermediate technologies are traced in both Indian and global contexts, to evaluate their sufficiency as bases for development. Moreover, their implications for contemporary economics are discussed, with the assistance of Amartya K. Sen's concepts of “capability,” “sympathy” and “commitment,” which are in clear contrast to the conventional concept of “economic man.” Finally, it is concluded that Schumacher's alternative development theories and practices, as well as Sen's economics, may play important roles in development and peace studies in the 21st century.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ago, Kenji. (1988).Daisansekairon heno Shiza: Chiikikeizai Jirituron Josetu, Tokyo: Sekai Shoin.
Barkley, Paul W., and David W. Seckler. (1972).Economic Growth and Environmental Decay: The Solution Becomes the Problem. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc.
Carr, Marilyn, ed. (1985).The AT Reader: Theory and Practice in Appropriate Technology. London: Intermediate Technology Publications LTD.
Diwan, Romesh. (1999). “Mahatma Gandhi, Amartya Sen, and Poverty.”Gandhi Marg, 20, 4: 421–443. New Delhi: Gandhi Smarak Nidhi.
Dreze, Jean, and Amartya K. Sen. (1989).Hunger and Public Action. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Dube, Shama Charan. (1988).Modernization and Development: The Search for Alternative Paradigms. Tokyo: The United Nations University.
Duhs, Alan, and Jim Alvey. (1989). “Schumacher's Political Economy.”International Journal of Social Economics, 16, 6: 67–76.
Dunn, Peter D. (1978)Appropriate Technology: Technology with a Human Face. London and Basingstoke: The Macmillan Press Ltd.
Gillingham, Peter N. (1980). “The Making of Good Work.” The epilogue of E. F. Schumacher (1980).Good Work. (See Schumacher (1980), below).
Hannum, Hildegarde, ed. (1997).People, Land, and Community. Collected E. F. Schumacher Society Lectures. New Heaven: Yale University Press.
Hession, Charles H. (1986). “E. F. Schumacher as Heir to Keynes' Mantle.”Review of Social Economy, 44, 1: 1–12.
Illich, Ivan. (1973).Tools for Conviviality. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers.
Ishii, Kazuya. (2001). “The Socioeconomic Thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi: As an Origin of Alternative Development.”Review of Social Economy, 59, 3: 297–312.
Lutz, Mark A., and Kenneth Lux. (1988).Human Economics: The New Challenge. New York: The Bootstrap Press.
Nishikawa, Jun. (1997).Shakaikaihatsu—Keizaiseicho kara Ninngennchuushnngata Hatten he—, Tokyo: Yuhikaku.
Saito, Shiro. (1976). “Datsukindai heno Shiza no Tenkan—Yakusha Atogaki.” Translator's postscript toNingen Fukko no Keizai. Japanese version of Schumacher (1973), Tokyo: Yugakusha.
Satobuka, Fumihiko. (1981). “Indo no Orutanatibu Tekunoroji,”Gijutu to Ningen, Tokyo: Gijutu to Ningen sha.
Schumacher, Ernst Fritz. (1962 [1955]). “Economics in a Buddhist Country.”Roots of Economic Growth, Varanashi: Gandhian Institute of Studies.
—. (1973).Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered, London: Vintage. (Reprinted in 1993.)
—. (1980).Good Work. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers.
Sen, Amartya K. (1982).Choice, Welfare and Measurement. Oxford: Basil Blackwell Publisher.
Stewart, Frances, Henk Thomas and Ton de Wilde, eds. (1990).The Other Policy: The Influence of Policies on Technology and Small Enterprise Development. Washington: Appropriate Technology International.
Wood, Barbara. (1984).Alias Papa: A Life of Fritz Schumacher. London: Sutis Brown Ltd.
World Summit for Social Development, 1995. http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/wssd/agreements/decparti.htm
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
I am grateful to William Volgor, Michael McPherson, David Schrom and Mark Kurowski for their helpful suggestions on drafts of this article.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ishii, K. An economics for development and peace: With a particular focus on the thought of Ernst F. Schumacher. FSSE 32, 41–55 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02779078
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02779078