Grassroots Post-modernism Remaking the Soil of Cultures

Grassroots Post-modernism resolutely attacks the three sacred cows of modernity - the idea that there is only one, universally valid way of understanding social reality; the exclusive and general validity of Western-defined notions of 'human'; and the notion of the self-sufficient individual, as opposed to people-in-community - that have so grotesquely warped hour view of the human condition.

Esteva and Prakash argue that even alternative development prescriptions deprive the people of control over their own lives, shifting this control to bureaucrats, technocrats, and educators. Rather than presuming that human progress fits some predetermined mold, leading toward an increasing homogenization of cultures and life styles, the authors argue for a 'radical pluralism' that honours and nurtures enables many paths to the realization of self-defined aspirations.

This classic text is essential reading for those looking beyond Neoliberalism, the global project and the individual self.

Gustavo Esteva is one of Latin America's leading critics of the development paradigm; author of a dozen books, advisor to the Zapatistas for almost 20 years and founder of Universidad de la Tierra in the Mexican city of Oaxaca.

Madha Suri Prakash is Professor of Education at Penn State University, USA.