Theorie und Praxis der Globalen Nord-Süd-Zusammenarbeit im Kontext von Ent-wicklung, Wachstum und Dekolonisation

Abstract

This Master’s thesis examines the significance of development theory for the practice of international North-South cooperation. The aim is to link theoretical approaches such as modernization theory, dependency theory, and postcolonial alternatives with the experiences of practitioners. The focus is on the relevance of these approaches in practical development cooperation. Based on a qualitative content analysis of six guided expert interviews (three from Europe, three from Bolivia), the practice of development cooperation is presented from different perspectives. The results show that development theory is rarely explicitly mentioned in practice, but that its various aspects are indirectly present. In addition to numerous similarities, clear differences can also be identified: while actors from the Global North tend to argue in favor of reform, practitioners from the South emphasize system-critical and decolonial approaches. Development theory thus has no direct guiding function in practice, but it does provide an important framework for reflection and analysis.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Martina Tißberger (Supervisor)