Reassessing Developmentalism in the Global Periphery

In the last century, a series of theories emerged from the Global South, providing deep insights into the underdevelopment challenges faced by peripheral countries. These theories critically examined these nations’ positions within the international division of labor and their implications for economic growth and social inequality reduction. Notable among these thinkers were Raul Prebisch, Celso Furtado, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, and Ruy Mauro Marini among others, who developed original frameworks to explore the intricate relations between balance of payments, currencies, bourgeoisies’ ambitions, economic dependency, and the enduring nature of social inequalities. Their theoretical contributions laid the groundwork for policies that, when implemented across Latin America, led to diverse strategies aimed at import substitution and national industrialization.

Nearly a century after Raul Prebisch’s pioneering work, addressing development issues in the global peripheries remains a daunting yet essential challenge. To effectively tackle social, gender, and racial inequalities within the capitalist periphery, a broad perspective is required, one that amplifies diverse voices, including those from marginalized communities within peripheral countries. In addition, developmental initiatives can have significant environmental impacts, and sustainable development is increasingly recognized as a crucial aspect of addressing global challenges.

This context underscores the critical need to revisit the development discourse in the wake of recent right-wing political cycles and climate crises to incorporate new analytical elements. Such elements include the role of finance in contemporary capitalism, progressive development strategies through consumption in Latin America, the end-of-century transnationalization of capital, the emergence of new peripheral nations from the erstwhile socialist bloc, and China’s ascension as a global powerhouse. Consequently, we propose a roundtable discussion aimed at reevaluating the relevance of developmental thought through a heterodox lens.

We invite young scholarly contributions that engage with the present-day significance of sustainable development, connecting recent experiences in Latin America or other peripheral regions with a theoretical reassessment of traditional developmental theories.

The goal of this roundtable is to stimulate a critical and updated discourse on development by focusing on:

Case studies on the practical application of sustainable development theories.
Analysis of the outcomes from development policies enacted in peripheral countries over the past century.
Theoretical reevaluations of seminal development theorists.
Discussions at the intersection of economic development, inequality reduction, and gender approaches.
Participants are expected to present their research, engage with the work of their peers, and contribute to a vibrant discussion, thereby enriching the dialogue with diverse perspectives and insights. Developmental issues often intersect with various disciplines such as economics, sociology, political science, and anthropology. We encourage interdisciplinary approaches that foster a more holistic understanding of development challenges and solutions.

Submitted proposals by ECRs will automatically be considered by YSI. If you have already applied, please refrain from submitting another application through the YSI sheet. Please note that making double applications will not enhance your chances of eligibility.

Contact: Diana Figueroa, Free University Berlin, [email protected]

Dr. Aline Miglioli, IE UNICAMP, [email protected]