The course focuses on various aspects of rural life in relation to ‘development’, ‘sustainable development’, ‘modernization’ and aid programmes and projects, in a globalised world. We thereby no longer spatially divide the world in so called ‘developed’ and ‘underdeveloped’ countries. World food production, food prices, trade agreements on food products and the like are all intrinsically interlinked. We will explore the position, role and significance of the peasantry particularly of the agribusiness and food industries. As van der Ploeg in his book and Brysceson in her article demonstrate, the peasantries of this world are far from waning. Also industrialized and developing countries are witnessing complex and richly chequered processes of ‘repeazantization’.
In this context we will also discuss the World Bank’ s program on Sustainable Land Management and Agriculture and Poverty Reduction and compare their views with a more critical analyses from an Aid consultant, Sivini, who considers the international aid market as its own market. He is of opinion that government and aid programmes often stimulate resistance from the local population, as agencies upset their usual system of production. However the rural poor, peasants and nomads, may also find ways to improve their ways of life. The local level, autonomy, an independent timing and the centrality of the own productive forces are thereby crucial.
We not only discuss the contemporary social problems and opportunities associated with rural economies and politics but we will also look at various methodological tools (Most significant change analysis (MSC), Logical framework analysis (LFA), and Outcome Mapping) that are used within development programs to model what various (development) programs intend to do within different logic and responsibility systems. We will use various projects to put these methodological tools into practice.
Coördinator
Dr. Jose van Santen: santen@fsw.leidenuniv.nl ; room nr. 3A35 (Pieter de la Court Building)
Onderwijsvormen
Lectures, group discussions, ethnographic exercises
*Lectures 20hrs = 30 sbu *Ethnographic exercises (practica) 5hrs = 5 sbu *Group discussions 5hrs = 10 sbu *Literature 930 pp = 155 sbu *Papers 10p = 80 sbu
Studiemateriaal
*The World Bank (2006). Sustainable Land Management :Challenges, Opportunities, and Trade-Offs. Washinton D.C. The World Bank. (pp 82)
*Christiaensen, Luc and Demery Lionel (2004). Down to Earth. Agriculture and Poverty Reduction in Africa. Washington D.C.: The world Bank. (pp 100)
*Sivini, Giordano (2007) Resistance to Modernization in Africa. Journey among Peasants and Nomads. New Brunswick (USA) and London (UK): Transaction Publishers. (pp. 228)
*Brysceson, Deborah Fahy (2000) ‘ Peasant Theories and Smallholder Policies: Past and Present’ in Disappearing Peasantries? Rural Labour in Africa, Asia and Latin America. London: Intermediate Technology Publications: 1-37. (pp 37 )
*Ploeg, Jan Douwe van der (2008). The New Peasantries, Struggles for Autonomy and Sustainability in an Era of Empire and Globalization . London: Earthscan (300)
To be downloaded from the internet:
*Most significant change analysis (MSC): <http://www.mande.co.uk/docs/MSCGuide.pdf>
*
Logical framework analysis (LFA): http://www.icco.nl/documents/pdf/bridges_pme.pdf
*
Outcome Mapping: <http://www.idrc.ca/openebooks/959-3/>
Toetsing
Assignments, presentations, final paper
Rooster
Time: Thursdays 5 February - 14 May 2009, 14-17 h
Location: room 5A29, Pieter de la Court Building
Inschrijving
Dutch students:
Inschrijving op het secretariaat, kamer 3A19, tel. 5273469, vóór 15 januari 2009.
International students:
For application please follow regular procedure through International Office, or contact the departmental coordinator N. Osterhaus-Simic.