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Pluriverso: um dicionário do pós-desenvolvimento
"Desenvolvimento" é uma palavra artificial, um termo vazio em que se imprime uma significação positiva. Apesar disso, manteve seu status enquanto perspectiva, porque se inscreve em uma rede internacional de instituições, que abrange desde a Organização das Nações Unidas até as organizações não governamentais. […]
A queda da ideia de desenvolvimento se tornou óbvia na Agenda 2030 da ONU para os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável. Foi-se o tempo em que o desenvolvimento significava uma "promessa". Naquela época, falava-se em jovens nações ambiciosas que avançavam pelos caminhos do progresso. De fato, o discurso do desenvolvimento sustentava uma promessa histórica no fim, todas as sociedades venceriam o abismo que separa ricos e pobres, e partilhariam os frutos da civilização industrial. Essa era foi enterrada junto com o progresso, pois o que restou foi a luta diária pela sobrevivência. Embora as políticas de combate à pobreza tenham sido bem-sucedidas em alguns países, foram construídas à custa de desigualdades ainda mais profundas em outros lugares e cobraram o alto preço dos danos ambientais irreversíveis. […]
A meu ver, este dicionário do pós-desenvolvimento está diretamente enraizado na narrativa da solidariedade. Os verbetes elucidam vários caminhos para a transformação social, que colocam a empatia por seres humanos e não humanos em primeiro lugar; são visões que se posicionam firmemente contra o nacionalismo xenofóbico e o globalismo tecnocrático. É profundamente encorajador perceber que a teoria e a prática da solidariedade, como testemunhamos na diversidade geográfica desses autores, parecem ter alcançado todos os cantos do planeta.
— Wolfgang Sachs, na Apresentação
A queda da ideia de desenvolvimento se tornou óbvia na Agenda 2030 da ONU para os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável. Foi-se o tempo em que o desenvolvimento significava uma "promessa". Naquela época, falava-se em jovens nações ambiciosas que avançavam pelos caminhos do progresso. De fato, o discurso do desenvolvimento sustentava uma promessa histórica no fim, todas as sociedades venceriam o abismo que separa ricos e pobres, e partilhariam os frutos da civilização industrial. Essa era foi enterrada junto com o progresso, pois o que restou foi a luta diária pela sobrevivência. Embora as políticas de combate à pobreza tenham sido bem-sucedidas em alguns países, foram construídas à custa de desigualdades ainda mais profundas em outros lugares e cobraram o alto preço dos danos ambientais irreversíveis. […]
A meu ver, este dicionário do pós-desenvolvimento está diretamente enraizado na narrativa da solidariedade. Os verbetes elucidam vários caminhos para a transformação social, que colocam a empatia por seres humanos e não humanos em primeiro lugar; são visões que se posicionam firmemente contra o nacionalismo xenofóbico e o globalismo tecnocrático. É profundamente encorajador perceber que a teoria e a prática da solidariedade, como testemunhamos na diversidade geográfica desses autores, parecem ter alcançado todos os cantos do planeta.
— Wolfgang Sachs, na Apresentação
645 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
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January 12, 2021As there are currently no reviews of the book, I am going to give a more detailed account.
Pluriverse – A Post-development Dictionary is an inspiring and carefully edited work that exemplifies the previously abstract concept of “Pluriverse”.
The meaning of “Pluriverse” is established in the introduction, as a world in which many worlds fit (this is actually a definition inspired by the Zapatista movement in Mexico, that I found in other books by Arturo Escobar and it stuck in my head. The book gives a more detailed explanation). It is basically a concept that allows the co-existence of multiple alternative views on life, as opposed to “Universe” which is uni-versal, as its name says.
The book is divided into three parts (besides the foreword and introduction). The first part comprises of a set of critical views on development, one from each continent, in line with the pluriversal logic. Now this one-voice-one-continent thing may be a bit arbitrary, but it is a good start.
The second part debunks various Western-generated solutions or proposed mindsets to the contemporary social and environmental crisis, that are said to be “universally” valid and are pushed to the non-Western world. E.g. the Circular Economy, Earth System Governance, Smart Cities, Neo-Extractivism, Lifeboat Ethics etc.
The third part consists of about a hundred three to four-page entries about alternatives from the Pluriverse.
The concepts listed are quite heterogenous, as they may refer to traditional or modern practices from around the world (e.g. Moroccan Agdals), lines of critical thought (Ecofeminism), social movements (Transition Movement), worldviews (Islamic Ethics) or even academic disciplines (Social Ecology). It is not a complete list, but it is probably the most comprehensive account of what the pluriverse entails that currently exists between the covers of the same book.
The book is a dictionary, so it doesn't read like a narrative or even a regular academic book, but it is an excellent introduction to a lot of concepts.
All entries were prepared by an academic or activist, many well-known in their field.
The entries are followed by a short bibliography, for further reference.
All in all, an excellent initiative outlining an incomplete but in the making global tapestry of alternatives. Finally!
Pluriverse – A Post-development Dictionary is an inspiring and carefully edited work that exemplifies the previously abstract concept of “Pluriverse”.
The meaning of “Pluriverse” is established in the introduction, as a world in which many worlds fit (this is actually a definition inspired by the Zapatista movement in Mexico, that I found in other books by Arturo Escobar and it stuck in my head. The book gives a more detailed explanation). It is basically a concept that allows the co-existence of multiple alternative views on life, as opposed to “Universe” which is uni-versal, as its name says.
The book is divided into three parts (besides the foreword and introduction). The first part comprises of a set of critical views on development, one from each continent, in line with the pluriversal logic. Now this one-voice-one-continent thing may be a bit arbitrary, but it is a good start.
The second part debunks various Western-generated solutions or proposed mindsets to the contemporary social and environmental crisis, that are said to be “universally” valid and are pushed to the non-Western world. E.g. the Circular Economy, Earth System Governance, Smart Cities, Neo-Extractivism, Lifeboat Ethics etc.
The third part consists of about a hundred three to four-page entries about alternatives from the Pluriverse.
The concepts listed are quite heterogenous, as they may refer to traditional or modern practices from around the world (e.g. Moroccan Agdals), lines of critical thought (Ecofeminism), social movements (Transition Movement), worldviews (Islamic Ethics) or even academic disciplines (Social Ecology). It is not a complete list, but it is probably the most comprehensive account of what the pluriverse entails that currently exists between the covers of the same book.
The book is a dictionary, so it doesn't read like a narrative or even a regular academic book, but it is an excellent introduction to a lot of concepts.
All entries were prepared by an academic or activist, many well-known in their field.
The entries are followed by a short bibliography, for further reference.
All in all, an excellent initiative outlining an incomplete but in the making global tapestry of alternatives. Finally!
February 6, 2021
This book provides a lovely starting point for anyone looking at alternatives to our current economic system in addressing environmental/social issues. Thought-provoking to be sure. Neatly packaged essays that make it easy to jump from one to another.
March 24, 2021
Great book to get to know many alternatives to the development paradigm
August 3, 2025
Antalya'dan Bodrum'a Pamukkale Turizm'le geçirdiğim 8 saatlik yolculuğumda okudum. Goodreads'in aradığı review bu değil sanırım. Ama benim goodreads'im sonuçta.
Öyle tek bir evrensel kalkınma tanımı yok. Herkes takılsın diyor. Gerçekten kitaptaki kısa makaleleri yazan herkes de takılmış. Ama çok derine girmeden kabaca yaklaşımlar (olmazsa olmazımız buen vivir'den earth sprituality'e, kürdistandan free software'e bir sürü şey burada) hakkında bilgi edinmek isteyenlere iyi gibi.
Öyle tek bir evrensel kalkınma tanımı yok. Herkes takılsın diyor. Gerçekten kitaptaki kısa makaleleri yazan herkes de takılmış. Ama çok derine girmeden kabaca yaklaşımlar (olmazsa olmazımız buen vivir'den earth sprituality'e, kürdistandan free software'e bir sürü şey burada) hakkında bilgi edinmek isteyenlere iyi gibi.
November 21, 2021
Why is this book over 4 stars on Goodreads must be my biggest question of the year. An awfully written literature in every sense one can possibly think of: lengthy text that can be so easily summarized in one sentence, all buzzwords, nonsense criticism. Honestly, WORST BOOK ever on development
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