Frames of self-reliance: an analysis of evolving international development discourse.

Self-reliance has been advanced by policy actors as an aspirational objective by and for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with evolution in framing over time. Most recently, it has been advanced by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in an organisational strategy titled the J...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Third World Quarterly Vol. 44; no. 3; pp. 532 - 554
Main Authors: Neill, Rachel, Shawar, Yusra Ribhi, Kunnuji, Michael, Manoj, Malvikha, Shiffman, Jeremy
Format: Article
Published: Taylor & Francis Ltd Mar2023
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ssf&AN=163521500&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ssf
    uiTerm: 163521500
    longDbName: Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson)
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        01436597
        TWQ
      jtl: Third World Quarterly
      issn: 01436597
      maglogo: Y
    pubinfo:
      dt: Mar2023
      vid: 44
      iid: 3
      pid: 377
      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
    artinfo:
      ui:
        163521500
        10.1080/01436597.2022.2149484
      ppf: 532
      ppct: 22
      formats:
        fmt:
          – @attributes:
              type: T
              db: hlh
              ui: 163521500
          – @attributes:
              type: P
              db: hlh
              ui: 163521500
      tig:
        atl: Frames of self-reliance: an analysis of evolving international development discourse.
      aug:
        au:
          Neill, Rachel
          Shawar, Yusra Ribhi
          Kunnuji, Michael
          Manoj, Malvikha
          Shiffman, Jeremy
        affil:
          Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
          Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington, DC, USA
          Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
      su:
        United States. Agency for International Development
        Frames (Social sciences)
        Economic development
        Self-reliance
        Low-income countries
        Thematic analysis
      sug:
        subj:
          Frames (Social sciences)
          Economic development
          United States. Agency for International Development
          Self-reliance
          Low-income countries
          Thematic analysis
      keyword:
        discourse analysis
        foreign aid
        Framing
        Global South
        power and politics
        discourse analysis
        foreign aid
        Framing
        Global South
        power and politics
      ab: Self-reliance has been advanced by policy actors as an aspirational objective by and for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with evolution in framing over time. Most recently, it has been advanced by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in an organisational strategy titled the Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR). This paper identifies why self-reliance has evolved over time, how actors have supported its use, and implications for development practice. We identify self-reliance frames using peer-reviewed and grey literature and key informant interviews. Thematic analysis using framing theories was conducted. Self-reliance originates from a historical legacy of postcolonial scholarship, but it has been transformed from an emancipatory paradigm to a strategy championed by international donors. Three frames were identified: (1) the emancipatory frame, led by LMIC actors; (2) the reformist frame, led by donor agencies; and (3) the J2SR frame, led by USAID. We argue that while the J2SR frame is the most visible in today's discourse, the emancipatory frame continues to influence policy and rhetoric. This phenomenon reflects the importance of strategic ambiguity and the ability of the frame sponsor to exert power through ideas. It also represents the limits of donor agencies in instrumentalising frames to meet their institutional interests.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
    refInfo:
    copyright:
      @attributes:
        flag: N
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N