From Modernisation, Dependency and Soft Power Toward a Commonwealth of Learning

Date
2021-11-19
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Corporate Author
Publisher
Commonwealth of Learning (COL)
Abstract

This article reflects on some influential theories, concepts and institutions that have shaped the nature and substance of international development since the mid-20th century. In particular, theories of modernisation and dependency are deployed to reflect on the ways in which the International Financial Institutions, such as, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have adopted a ‘Washington Consensus’ concerning the social and economic development of ‘developing’ nations. ‘Soft power’ national agencies, such as, the British Council and USAID are brought into consideration, especially, for their interests and influences over matters of learning for development. The multi-national Commonwealth of Learning’s particular contribution to learning for development is discussed with suggestions made for developing member nations’ capacities to produce new local knowledge and to bring their existing local knowledge to the fore to share as part of a (Lockean) ‘commonwealth of learning’.

Description
Subject
Commonwealth of Learning (COL),Learning for Sustainable Development,Developing World,Open and Distance Learning (ODL)
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Pan-Commonwealth,Europe
Series
Journal of Learning for Development;Vol 8; No 3
Citation