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Compulsory ujamaa villages in Tanzania, collectivization in Russia, Le Corbusier's urban planning theory realized in Brasilia, the Great Leap Forward in China, agricultural "modernization" in the Tropics-the twentieth century has been racked by grand utopian schemes that have inadvertently brought death and disruption to millions. Why do well-intentioned plans for improving the human condition go tragically awry?In this wide-ranging and original book, James C. Scott analyzes failed cases of large-scale authoritarian plans in a variety of fields. Centrally managed social plans misfire, Scott argues, when they impose schematic visions that do violence to complex interdependencies that are not-and cannot-be fully understood. Further, the success of designs for social organization depends upon the recognition that local, practical knowledge is as important as formal, epistemic knowledge. The author builds a persuasive case against "development theory" and imperialistic state planning that disregards the values, desires, and objections of its subjects. He identifies and discusses four conditions common to all planning disasters: administrative ordering of nature and society by the state; a "high-modernist ideology" that places confidence in the ability of science to improve every aspect of human life; a willingness to use authoritarian state power to effect large- scale interventions; and a prostrate civil society that cannot effectively resist such plans.

Sociology of policy --- Authoritarianism. --- Central planning --- Social engineering. --- Social aspects. --- Social engineering --- Authoritarianism --- Social aspects --- #SBIB:327.4H10 --- #SBIB:39A4 --- 321.64 --- 342.25 --- 911.3:30 --- 841 Politiek bestel --- 844 Sociale structuur --- 321.64 Autoritair regime. Nationalistische bewegingen. Moderne dictatuur --- Autoritair regime. Nationalistische bewegingen. Moderne dictatuur --- 342.25 Centralisatie. Decentralisatie --- Centralisatie. Decentralisatie --- Engineering, Social --- Social control --- Political science --- Authority --- Central economic planning --- Centrally planned economy --- Economic planning --- National planning --- State planning --- Economic policy --- Planning --- Ontwikkelingsproblematiek: algemeen --- Toegepaste antropologie --- Social geography --- #A0309SO --- Planification économique --- Ingénierie sociale. --- Autoritarisme. --- Aspect social. --- Planification centrale --- Ingénierie sociale --- Autoritarisme --- Aspect social --- Central planning. --- Economic development --- E-books --- Central planning -- Social aspects.. --- Social engineering.. --- Central planning - Social aspects