Majid Tehranian has spoken of development becoming a/an
(A) Philosophy
(B) Idea
(C) Ism
(D) Concentric concept
Correct Ans: (C)
Explanation:
Majid Tehranian analyzed development from a critical perspective, emphasizing how it evolved into an “Ism.” He argued that development no longer remains just a process or an idea. Instead, it functions as a structured ideology, shaping global policies and influencing economic and social changes.
Moreover, development as an “Ism” suggests that it follows a fixed doctrine, much like capitalism, socialism, or nationalism. As a result, many countries adopt specific models of development, believing them to be universally applicable. However, Tehranian highlighted that one-size-fits-all development approaches often fail due to cultural, economic, and political differences.
Additionally, he pointed out that development discourse frequently reflects power dynamics, where dominant nations set the agenda. Consequently, developing nations sometimes struggle to implement models that do not align with their realities. This perspective helps explain why some development programs succeed while others fail.
Furthermore, treating development as an ideology influences media, governance, and public perception. Policymakers and scholars continue to debate whether development should remain flexible and adaptive or follow a rigid ideological framework.
In conclusion, Tehranian’s argument urges scholars and practitioners to rethink development beyond ideology. Instead of enforcing a universal model, societies should adopt approaches that respect local needs and contexts while promoting sustainable progress.