Local knowledge and global justice : From hegemonic development to planetary well-being

Abstract

This chapter discusses the relationship between critical development studies and planetary well-being, showing how the former can add insights to the latter to build a comprehensive theory. Critical development studies is introduced as a field of study, which provides tools to uncover hidden power dynamics and ecologically destructive patterns in contemporary development. Development is analysed as a particular model of the good life, a societal programme, an epistemological system of power, and a global governance system. Using insights from critical development studies, the chapter points out differences between sustainable development and planetary well-being, noting that sustainable development is committed to currently hegemonic ideas about development. Methodologically, the chapter combines a literature review with an illustrative case study of organic farmers in Ghana and how they see the changing natural environment and their role.