ipl-logo

Opportunities By Charlotte Perkins Chapter Summary

1293 Words6 Pages

IV.Opportunities Even though Perkins fails to explain the more complex backgrounds and levels of development, his book still provides some fantastic opportunities, that can be incorporated into development. While Perkins describes the issue of neo-imperialism based on greed for resources, at the same time he also tries to convey a solution: As some resources like oil or gas are finite, Perkins decided to start his own solar power company, called Independent Power Systems (IPS) in order to offer a clean, sustainable and harmless alternative to common energy plants. He also hoped that his idea would inspire others to follow his example. Perkins’ company can also serve as an example of the changes that had been made in development policies …show more content…

Even though it may be argued that the implementation and use of sustainable technologies in traditional societies may prove to be a challenge, it should still be a primary concern to educate the people about the changes planned in their community. Through education they will be able to asses and understand the way the technologies will shape their land. On top of that, education is widely understood as the tool for transforming the status of people from apolitical and almost uninterested towards citizens equipped with critical thinking skills. Those people are also more likely to challenge their respective government to fight inequalities and social …show more content…

This becomes especially important when pressure of any form is about to be inflicted on the government in order to make them amend their policies. Other than that, civil societies are invaluable in countries with a weak political opposition, such as Namibia, to assure transparency of government actions. A civil society can for example assure that arrangements and contract are made in favor of local companies rather than foreign investors. Thus, civil societies are an essential part of international development and their absence in Perkins’ argument, also shows once more that he neglects important factors. The threats of unequal education and lack of civil societies not only questions Perkins’ vision of a closer connected, more sustainable future, but it also shows that global advancement and continuous development is only ever possible, when there is a global balance. It leaves us with the thought, that development can only work by putting an end to the dependent relationship between developed and developing

Open Document