Anthropology and development in traditional societies

Development literature is replete with stories of how programmes and projects designed specifically for the Third World poor in rural areas often fail to reach them. Innovations which experts believe are capable of improving the quality of life in traditional societies do not automatically find acceptance among project populations. Confronted with situations of this kind, some in the development community have even gone as far as expressing doubts about the ability of the poor in traditional societies to adapt themselves to modernising changes.

However, anthropological studies lend no credence whatever to this characterisation of the rural poor as being conservative, tradition bound and opposed to development. The fact is that the people-related factors do not always receive adequate consideration in project design which tends to stress primarily the technical and economic aspects. Experience has repeatedly shown that social and cultural factors ignored in planning take revenge. Projects which are technically and economically sound are not necessarily socially sound as well.

Anthropologists have been able to generate enormous knowledge concerning the people in Third World societies, the focus of their researches from the very beginning of the discipline. Used effectively, insights into the sociocultural dimension of development which they have gained can greatly aid planners and administrators. On the basis of his work in diverse Third World cultures, the author cautions that unless anthropologists who are most knowledgeable about the poor are closely associated with the decision-making concerning their future, the development plans will continue to bypass them producing no change whatever in the lives of millions in rural areas of Asia, Africa and Latin America.