The Anthropological Perspective Regarding Development and Progress - Essay Example

Anthropologists attempt to combine their agency-level interactions at the research level with their involvements with poor or marginalized people (Fadiman, 2012). The concept of development is one of the dominant ideas that guide human activity. It is embodied in sets of techniques and aspirations, which are aimed at facilitating positive changes in under-developed or poor countries. According to anthropologists, development is associated with shifting technologies, which are usually confusing and prone to rapid changes.

In its modern sense, development was first used as part of post-war reconstruction in under-developed countries or areas of the world. The concept of development has its basis on modern technology transfer and international financial assistance. Therefore, the aim of development is to facilitate economic growth. The society recognizes that though the well-being of a country’s economy forms preconditions for development, it is not adequate to solve issues around asset distribution and income.

Therefore, development does not necessarily lead to a reduction in inequality, or support for social welfare and human rights (Fadiman, 2012). Anthropological understanding of development illuminates aspects of the complex relationship between development and anthropology. The ways in which anthropologists work can take to the field of the study of community development. Anthropologists approach development based on the interpretive grid of developmental discourse. Anthropologists are critical observes of development and developmental activities.

Colonialisms Effects on Modern Colonialism has effects on the modern world. Colonialism is a policy of acquiring partial or full political, economic and social control over another country. The main aim of colonialism is to exploit a country economically. Historically, colonialism has involved subjugating or killing indigenous populations. Colonialism supports the net transfer of a country’s wealth to the colonizer. This inhibits the successful economic growth and development of the colonized country (Fadiman, 2012).

Additionally, colonialism has negative effects on the psychological, political and moral nature of the colonized country. Colonialism affects the political stability of a region or country. Once colonialist settles in a place, they kill and displace indigenous people. These people will try to protect themselves by acquiring weapons. The overarching authority of colonial powers supports internal conflicts. For instance, one of the tribes in a colonized country may feel that other tribes receive support and favours from the colonialist (Fadiman, 2012).

This leads to hostile feelings between the tribe. Colonialism also destroys existing political and social structures. As a result, the colonized society has to contend with civil strife because of the inequitable distribution of resources such as land. It is vital to note that all countries that were colonized experienced internal conflicts through civil strife and wars, genocide and tribalism. Colonialism has negative effects on wealth distribution, trade, commerce and industrialization. The aim of colonizers is to settle in a foreign country are exploit their resources.

Resources such as agricultural products and minerals are moved from the colonized country to the colonizer’s country (Fadiman, 2012). As a result, the colonized country losses the value derived from these resources. Additionally, colonized people lose their values, culture and ideas because they assimilate the values of the colonialist.