Development has to be understood holistically. It is very closely connected to culture, which is very difficult to define. Cultural factors have powerfully affected the pace of development. This paper begins with the status of culture in the international development paradigm. Then the author will examine the relationship between culture and sustainable development, going on to reflect the importance of culture in environmental sustainability.
Next, the paper will discuss the role of culture for peace and reconciliation, for only when there is peace there can be proper development. In the last part of his paper, the author looks at the relationship between media culture and development. In the media mediated society, which we live in today, culture is influenced by the media resulting in what is called ‘media-culture’, which leads to a unique kind of development.
The recognition that development programmes and strategies at the global, regional and local levels should integrate culture within their goals, indicators and targets is still not as widespread as it should be. Without such a globally agreed and shared recognition, the potential of culture to contribute to sustainable development risks being largely untapped. Giving due consideration to specific settings (a stronger concern for local cultural perspectives) in which the development processes should be conceived and implemented, is paramount.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Relationship between Development and Culture
3. The Role of Culture in Development
3.1 Culture in the International Development Paradigm
3.2 Culture and Sustainable Development
3.3 Culture and Environmental Sustainability
3.4 Role of Culture for Peace and Reconciliation
4. Avoidable Myths about Culture in Relation to Development
5. Culture of Indigenous Communities and their Development
6. Culture and the Post-2015 Development Agenda
7. Culture to Media Culture
7.1 Media Culture and Development
8. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The paper examines the central interdependencies between culture and development, arguing that development processes cannot be understood holistically without integrating cultural factors. It explores how culture influences sustainability, peace, and indigenous development, while critiquing the media's role in shaping a unique "media-culture" that impacts contemporary global development models.
- The importance of shifting from purely economic indicators to a holistic, culture-sensitive development paradigm.
- The relationship between cultural preservation, sustainable environmental practices, and indigenous rights.
- The influence of media-driven consumerism and dominant ideologies on global cultural identities.
- The necessity of including culture as an integral component in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Culture and Sustainable Development
Culture is regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of a society or social group. The “one size does not fit all” motto places culture at the centre of context-based approaches to sustainable development. It is now generally recognized that many people, especially the poor, depend directly on ecosystems for their livelihoods, their economic, social and physical well-being, and their cultural heritage and that all cultures and civilizations can contribute to sustainable development.
In its large anthropological sense, culture is clearly linked to the basic question of how to ensure development that is compatible with the physical limits of the environment. If achieving sustainability is first and foremost about making proper and harmless use of the earth’s resources, then culture must be at the centre of development strategies. Indeed, many societies and belief systems regard nature as being in some sense an extension of society, making the culture-sensitive stewardship of the natural environment an integral part of sustainable development.
Reflecting deeper, it should be said that biological and cultural life are interdependent. Both forms of life have developed over time through a process of mutual adaptation between humans and the environment. Rather than existing in separate and parallel realms, both interact with and affect one another in complex ways in a sort of coevolutionary process. It would seem natural then to integrate a concern for culture into development policies and programmes so as to achieve effectiveness and sustainability. Thus a culture-sensitive approach is an essential enabler of sustainable development.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Argues that development must be viewed through a holistic, socio-cultural lens rather than limited economic metrics like GNP.
2. Relationship between Development and Culture: Explores historical and cultural determinants of development rates, emphasizing that culture makes a decisive difference in societal progress.
3. The Role of Culture in Development: Examines culture's integration into global policy, sustainable environmental practices, and peace-building initiatives.
4. Avoidable Myths about Culture in Relation to Development: Debunks the fear that cultural diversity impedes governance or acts as a barrier to development.
5. Culture of Indigenous Communities and their Development: Advocates for a rights-based, holistic approach that respects indigenous uniqueness and natural resource stewardship.
6. Culture and the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Proposes practical steps to integrate cultural indicators into international development targets.
7. Culture to Media Culture: Analyzes the transformative and often disruptive impact of mass media on local identities and development patterns.
8. Conclusion: Summarizes the urgent need to incorporate local cultural perspectives into international development programs for sustainable outcomes.
Keywords
Development, Culture, Media, Globalization, Sustainability, Peace, Indigenous, Post-2015 Agenda, Governance, Cultural Diversity, Social Inclusion, Environmental Stewardship, Economic Liberalization, Human Rights, Media-culture
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this publication?
The work focuses on the indispensable role that culture plays in the development process and argues that sustainable progress cannot be achieved by ignoring socio-cultural contexts.
What are the core themes addressed in the text?
Key themes include the critique of economic-only development models, the intersection of cultural identity and environmental sustainability, the impact of media on traditions, and the rights of indigenous communities.
What is the primary aim of the author?
The primary aim is to advocate for a culture-sensitive development paradigm that goes beyond GDP to consider qualitative human well-being and societal values.
Which scientific approach does the author employ?
The author uses a multidisciplinary, analytical approach, synthesizing anthropological, economic, and political viewpoints to assess the global-local negotiation of development.
How is the main body of the work structured?
The main body systematically explores definitions of culture, its influence on economics and peace, common misconceptions about cultural diversity, and its integration into global development agendas.
Which terms best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as sustainable development, cultural identity, media-mediated society, holistic development, and rights-based approaches.
How does the author define the relationship between "media-culture" and development?
The author describes "media-culture" as a circular process where media impacts user identity and daily living, creating a unique kind of development that often promotes consumerism over fundamental human values.
Why does the author consider cultural stewardship essential for environmental sustainability?
Because many indigenous and local systems manage natural resources as an extension of their societal identity, their traditional knowledge is viewed as vital for tackling modern ecological challenges.
How does the text propose measuring the impact of culture on development?
It suggests moving beyond traditional economic indicators by incorporating qualitative measures like Bhutan's Gross National Happiness or Italy's BES index to assess overall social well-being.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Prof. Francis Arackal Thummy (Autor:in), 2013, Global-Local Negotiations. Development and Culture, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1337935
