Hirschman's view of development, or the art of trespassing and self-subversion
Year: 2000
Type: report
Abstract: This article analyses the work of Albert Hirschman from\nthe standpoint of two basic concepts: trespassing and\nself-subversion. Hirschman turned these exercises into an\nart, pleading his case in a manner which combines curiosity\nand intellectual humility. In a world accustomed to\nthink and think of itself through totalizing models, in a\ncontinent where so many ideological models which sought\nto open up (or rather, force open) the realities of countries\nwere put together and taken apart, Hirschman’s works and\nintellectual attitude represent a healthy and beneficial invitation\nto take a different view. This is not his only merit,\nhowever. From Chile to Brazil, from Mexico to Argentina,\nhe passed on his passion for the possible to more than a\nfew admirers. In the last few years, a great many ministers,\nacademics and leading members of international organizations\nhave repeatedly praised his contributions. Likewise,\nmany of the concepts developed by Hirschman –his “exit,\nvoice and loyalty” triptych, the notion of the “tunnel effect”–\nand above all his propensity to think in terms of the\npossible and his efforts to trespass over and subvert theories\n(including his own), paradigms and models, and all the\ncubist and minimalist mental exercises that are constantly\ncreated and recreated, are healthy sources of inspiration\nand interpretation for rethinking the never-ending quest for\ndevelopment. Lastly, notions like community participation\nor social capital, which are now major subjects of discussion,\ncan also be better appreciated, subverted and\nself-subverted in the light of Hirschman’s work.
Author: Javier Santisó
Institution: Esade
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1821568191