Colonialism, Casteism and Development: South-South Cooperation as a ‘New’ Development Paradigm

Abstract

In her “How Did We Get Here?: The Pathways of South-South Cooperation”, Morais de Sá e Silva (2010) notes that economic growth and social gains experienced by some developing countries in recent years have made them potential role models for the rest of the developing world. India, which managed an average annual GDP per capita growth rate of 6.3 per cent between 1990 and 2008 (Ortiz and Cummins, 2011: 27), is often cited as the standout example. Many in the development community believe that if Indian economic growth continues on this upward trend the outlook of the entire Asia-Pacific region is likely to see further improvement (see ESCAP, 2011). However, as the United Nations Assistant Secretary General, India’s Ajay Chhibber, cautions, doing so must entail strengthening democratic institutions; promoting inclusive growth and equity, and ensuring access to justice and the rule of law (UNDP, 2011: 1).