Abstract
Orthodox conceptualization of development which is rooted in Western schools of thought recognizes three categories of polities, that is, developed, developing and underdeveloped states. But on what grounds are countries considered developed, developing or underdeveloped? Are these categorizations compatible with the interests of the Global South? This Chapter uses secondary data to problematize orthodox Western development theories and critiques the unipolar and bipolar conventional framework of development. The Chapter argues that the orthodox conception of development and its reforms are not sacrosanct given the peculiarities of the Global South. The Chapter also argues that Western-driven ‘development reforms or policies’ are ‘neocolonial schemes’ structured to strengthen the core–periphery arrangements between the Global North and the Global South.
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Ibrahim, B.O. (2023). Development-Driven Tools or Parasitic Paradigms? A Critical Perspective of Western Theories of Development and Its Reforms. In: Mtapuri, O. (eds) Poverty, Inequality, and Innovation in the Global South. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21841-5_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21841-5_9
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