According to the 7th Edition of Economic Development by Michael P. Todaro, one of my college texts, dependence is "a corollary of dominance; a situation in which the LDCs have to rely on developed-country domestic and international economic policy to stimulate their own economic growth. Dependence can also mean that the LDCs adopt developed-country education systems, technology, economic and polictical systems, attitudes, consumption patterns, dress, etc."
I think many field workers struggle to ensure that we are not creating dependence when we implement projects. Although this definiition more directly pertains to economic dependency, and many governments struggle with these larger issues, it is just as important that we non-profits, aid workers, or even visitors to another country ensure that we are sharing and empowering and not creating a dependent relationship.
Nick Moon and Martin J. Fisher with KickStart put it well in a story The Chronicle of Philanthropy wrote for its January 11, 2007 issue. "Give aways, they say, are demoralizaing to the recipient and create dependence or resentment. People often take for granted something they have been given. And because (give aways) are always limited, they say, deciding who should receive donated items in inherently unfair." They started KickStart, "a non-profit organization that devleops and markets new technologies in Africa." Local entrepreneurs buy their products and resell through their own businesses. This creates "new jobs and weath, enabling the poor to climb out of their poverty forever." I think they have a good thing going. Check them out at http://kickstart.org/home/
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