The pursuit of self-reliance and the political interpellation of development: Relevance of climate activism in the South Asian context

• In Event: Climate Activism and Socio-political Challenges in Democracies

Abstract

The paper evaluates manifold implications of the interpellation of development by political structures and ideologies, examines the self-reliance claim raised by developing nations, and analyses the significance of and challenges to climate activism in the South Asian context. It is widely believed that there exists a positive correlation between development activities that are being pursued and the climate crisis that is prevailing today. Development is a major goal targeted by developing nations and it attracts prime concern in political ideologies and election campaigns. Conceiving development as freedom from enslaving socioeconomic conditions and the way to ensure basic capabilities, people get attracted to the populist ideological framework that discounts the integrity of ecological structures. The idea of development is mostly forged on the minimalist frame of gross domestic product (GDP) which fails to consider potential impacts on the environment. To win public support, aggressive developmental activities are pursued in developing societies without sufficient heed to the sustainability assessment. The paper takes this issue quite seriously and analyses various nuances associated with this grave failure. While it is not possible to undo the harms committed by the developed nations in their pursuit of progress, it is quite significant to ensure that developing nations learn from those mistakes and do not commit the same follies. The discussion pays special attention to the claim of self-reliance raised by South Asian democratic societies and evaluates the ongoing aggressive pursuit of development. For instance, India has recently declared the mission to achieve atmanirbharta, the term that signifies self-reliance. A closer look would reveal that the prevailing notions of development and self-reliance are largely political constructs and tools that have ever-increasing potential in election propaganda. Therefore, it appears that populist political structures and policy frameworks are significantly accountable for environmental damages and hence a sustainability audit of unrealistic promises looks unavoidable. The paper explores promising ways to resist the enticing promises of self-reliance and development and resonate with the voice of the voiceless majority who fall outside of dominant groups and power structures. Additionally, the paper evaluates major climate activist movements in South Asia and attempts to identify possible grounds for the increasing insensitivity to the climate crisis. Among other things, the paper elucidates why development is not value-neutral, justifies the imperative to put restraints on the pursuit of development, and establishes the urgency to conceive self-reliance holistically.

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Authors

• George KJ, Indian Institute of Technology Jodpur

• Farhat Naz, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur