The Nature of Our Demise: A Social Constructivist Analysis of Neoliberal Barriers to Development

Abstract

The paper seeks to understand through a social constructivist lens how development strategies have been largely enforced by already developed states, serving their interests above affecting change. Specifically, neoliberal ideology is examined as pervasive through the socialization mechanism of change using the examples of Structural Adjustment Programs and Millennium Development Goals. The process in which development is defined, created, revised and adopted has lasting implications on the success level achieved. Understanding this process as socially constructed is an important step towards alternative development strategies.