Define Escobar concurs with Gustavo Esteva that development is a 'Frankenstein-type dream', an alien model of exploitation and which
also has an urban bias. The ideal of development is over and now what is required is "Not more Development, but a different regime of truth and perception'. (Pieterse, page 180) The most important goal for post-development is to eliminate mainstream development and technological solutions so that other non-development alternatives can emerge. (McGregor 2007, p. 156) There are many criticisms of post-development thought. Among these are those which assert that post-development ignores the many advances in development such as participatory development, bottom-up decision making and empowerment of the target population. (McGregor 2007, p. 157) A third and very convincing argument is that there is no practical or political approach to implementing postdevelopment. Without a more pragmatic approach, there appears to be no benefit to either development professionals or agencies, or to the communities in need of betterment and progress in their lives. (McGregor 2007, p. 157 and Pieterse 2000) Another criticism is that post-development thinkers tend to idealize the concept of traditional culture and practices. This shows a lack of selectivity. Many of the traditional practices are harmful to health, such as female mutilation or result in human suffering, such as initiation rites and shunning, and should not be encouraged if any progress is to be made. (McGregor 2007, p. 158) Pieterse points out other problems with the ideas of postdevelopment. Firstly, he asserts that these critiques have ignored or misrepresented the successes and achievements of global
development, such as can be seen in the inclusion of many less developed nations in the supply chain, or the benefits to local economies of micro-financing. Secondly, such black and white thinking, pro and anti-development, does not take into account the interplay of motives, ideas and methods which factor into modernity and development. Third, post-development's seems to concentrate its views on only the failures of development, taking examples from Africa, Latin America and India. Little mention is made of the successes of development such as can be seen in East Asia or the thriving economy and associated benefits currently found in India. Extended life expectancy in the third world is also not credited to development initiatives. (Pieterse, Pg. 183) Post-development is not only negative. It does accredit value to local knowledge and cultural diversity. It supports careful and worthwhile use of resources as opposed to a culture of materialism and the fellowship of local social movements. Both frugality and anti-consumerism however, are not confined to post-development, but are also goals of many development projects. Post-development is also a useful tool for identifying and categorizing flaws in modern development. The failures of many development measures are examined and made evident to development experts and safeguards and modified approaches have resulted. Criticism has resulted in alternative methods, such as micro-financing and participatory development, and it is likely that the responses to post-development will reault in modifications and improvements to any form of development. The urgent need for such new methods has been brought to light by post-development theories. Development is rejected not merely on account of its result but because of its intentions, its world-view and mindset. (Pieterse, Pg.175) In addition, post-development does not merely tinker with existing methods for implementing development. It promotes the
idea of something radically new. It brings a challenge and a fresh outlook to the field. That said, there are very few examples in the literature of post-development successes. Although some may see the Arab Spring uprisings as an example of post-development, there is not yet convincing evidence that growth and benefits to the population will result. For example, the overthrow of Mubarak in Egypt has left a vicuna in political leadership which may be filled with a party in opposition to democratic ideals and human development. It is too soon to tell, and there is not any scholarly research to address this situation. The primary and best known example may still be Argentina, where neoliberal policies resulted in the economic collapse of the country with all of the associated negative impacts.
