Wilderness, The trouble with Wilderness, Cronon, populism, democracy, post-development school
Cronon questions the wilderness, often seen as the only hope, an antidote - wrongly, in his view. Indeed, he believes that this nature is the work of the human hand. The term wilderness is a pure creation of civilization: what it refers to has evolved over time. This was reflected in various art forms, notably by Romantic writers, who used the wilderness as a source of emotion. The wilderness was appropriated by a wealthy elite as a source of recreation. Cronon also refers to the presence of indigenous civilizations in these wild spaces, which are supposed to be characterized by the absence of human impact, but also to their expulsion to suit the elite, once again demonstrating its man-made character. He also points out the inconsistency between the association of the wilderness with our real home and the unbridled use of technology in our daily lives.
[...] They also often confuse post-development with anti-development. But the main flaw in the criticisms is that they are mainly based on the neo-populist variant, while ignoring the sceptical discourse on post-development. How does he defend a post-development approach? All the authors of the post-development school do not completely reject all forms of development (particularly that which avoids the subjugation of civilisations, for example), but on the contrary try to be critical. On the contrary, they see cultural diversity as a resource. [...]
[...] He does not reject all criticism but warns of the difference between reactionary populism and skeptical populism, which can on the contrary have an emancipatory potential. IV. Prepare 5 questions related to this reading Is a society based solely on short circuits and the informal economy possible? How can the post-development school lead to emancipation? Is the enslavement of indigenous peoples systematically linked to development? How can human rights (such as child labour, female mutilation, etc.) be guaranteed with alternative forms of development? [...]
[...] The trouble with Wilderness - Cronon (1996); The ambivalence of post-development: between reactionary populism and radical democracy - Ziai (2004) - Development and environmental geography I. Critical Annotation - Cronon 1996: The trouble with Wilderness Cronon questions the wilderness, often seen as the only hope, an antidote - wrongly, in his view. Indeed, he believes that this nature is the work of the human hand. The term wilderness is a pure creation of civilization: what it refers to has evolved over time. [...]
[...] A distinction must be made between neo-populist post-development, which has reactionary political consequences, and skeptical post-development, which mixes postmodern and post-Marxist theory. What are the main critics opposed to the post-development school? The post-development school is often associated with a Foucauldian critique of development, but we must see further. The post-development school has been seen as a cynical legitimization of neoliberalism or a futile romanticization of pre-modern times. It is said to impose a Western vision that takes little account of historical and social realities. [...]
[...] This idealization of wilderness also has an impact on the way we perceive other spaces: the dualism between wilderness and artfulness prevents us from taking into account intermediate spaces where nature coexists with man. This book prompts us to ask: what do we mean by nature today? What is the difference between what we commonly call nature and what is produced by man? At what stage of civilization have human actions become detached from wild nature? The author offers a well-constructed reflection based on the historical evolution of the use of the term wilderness, allowing us to apprehend different visions, while blending scientific elements to understand ecological issues. [...]
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