A Post-Development Thought in Mexico: What Gustavo Esteva's Narratives and Writings Teach Us

Abstract

In what way do the people of the North and South share development problems, and how can we consider “development” through their perspectives or lenses in a deeper sense? For this inquiry, in this paper, I introduce a post-development thought that has been emerged and nourished through the struggles and experiences for decades or even centuries of the Mexican people. Extensive openended interviews with Gustavo Esteva, Mexico's well-known development critique, thinker, intellectual, grassroots activist, and one of the key persons of international NGOs networks, were conducted in January, August, and September 2002 in Oaxaca, Mexico. Utilizing interview material as the primary information source, with additional information from his writings, I describe the background and essence of the Mexican post-development thought that opposes the mainstream “development” ideology and globalization, and advocates the construction of an alternative society in which political and cultural autonomy of the communities and communal way of life are assured and a concept of “civil society” is defined differently from that of the Western civilizations. In the paper, I first present a biography on Esteva, as it would be important for us to know his background and how he developed or acquired the current concept of the post-development world. Second, I explain some key concepts in the thought and movement, such as autonomy, hospitality, decentalism, civil society, dialogue, etc. Finally, I make note of lessons learned from Esteva's work that are important to the people of the North. My intention in this paper is to provide a valuable “forum” and to facilitate awareness and debates of the “development” issue among Japanese professionals, scholars, students, and activists.