A Chronology of Rural Development Theory and Practice (1950s2000s)

James B. Mayfield, PhD Professor Emeritus, University of Utah Co-founder CHOICE Humanitarian

Source: James B. Mayfield and Chris Johnson, Villagers Achieving a Better Quality of Life: A Training Manual Structured to Help Villagers Move out of Poverty (Forthcoming 2012)

1950s
Purpose Increase GNP

Focus
Approach Strategy Cultural Participation Profession Unintended consequences

Industrialization
Total System Transfer Resources Ignore as Unimportant Use to build unity/cohesion Economist Poverty increased as rural areas were ignored

1960s
Purpose Focus Approach Strategy Cultural Participation Profession Unintended consequences Increase Production Green Revolution Sectoral Transfer Technology Neutralize as an Obstacle Collect information and generate support for Government Programs. Planner/Sectoral Expert Poverty increases as rich farmers became richer.

1970s
Purpose
Focus Approach Strategy Cultural Participation Profession Unintended consequences

Increase Equity
Promote basic needs Integrated Use Appropriate Technology Accept & Learn to work with the local culture Stimulate through Consciousness Raising Public Administration Central Government tended to provide needed services to urban areas.

1980s
Purpose Focus Approach Strategy Cultural Increase Quality of Life Local Institution Building Decentralization of Bureaucracy Greater Privatization of Government Services Encourage Culture as a Key Source of Social Energy

Participation
Profession Unintended consequences

Local Capacity Building/ Project Sustainability

Management & Political Science Bureaucracy focused structural adjustments demanded budget reforms cutting needed programs.

1990s
Purpose Focus Approach Ensure Ecosystem Sustainability Democratization/ Pluralism in Political Systems Networking/Coalition Building

Strategy Cultural Participation

Profession Unintended consequences

Greater Public/Private Sector Collaboration Protect and Enhance Local Cultural Diversity Empowerment and Emerging Mass Movements
Interdisciplinary Global Approach Greater Social and Cultural Fragmentation, Open Conflict among competing ethnic groups.

2000s
Purpose Focus Approach Strategy Cultural Harmonize Globalization vs. Localization Millennium Goals for Poverty Alleviation Good Governance in all sectors Societal Transformation Through Public/Private/Social Partnerships Emphasize Universal Human Rights & Civil Liberties with Core Values determined by villagers. Accountability, Transparency, and Good Governance. Poverty Alleviation through an integration of Globalization and Localization Greater Conflicts, US challenged by Global Processes- Climate change and Ecological deterioration.

Participation Profession Unintended consequences