ISS ideology (?)

Studying at ISS, there is a strong notion of each course attended in the last three terms in many extends promoting the rights based approach. The first term, I studied sociology concept, structure and agency which were more focused on agency approach by the course leader, Erhard Berner. Development theory convened directly by ISS rector, Loux De La Rive Box, spent more elaboration on human development comparing to the others concepts , the concept proposed by Amartya Sen and Mahbul Ul Haq.

taking an example,the schedule to discussing the concept of theory of dependencia was done for once in session 4 by Mohamed Salih, whether the discussion on human development related concept was done four times; session 7, sustainable development, session 8, culture and development, session 9, human development, and session 10, democracy, participation and development.

The next term, studying on human rights theories, again discussing on the concept proposed by Amartya Sen, Martha Nussbaum, and Rawls in the more idealism way, convened by Karin Arts. The concept of human rights in the favor of ‘agency’ also explained playing in the frame of todays mainstream, the economic globalisation and the neo liberal ascendancy, taught by Rachel Kurian and Karim Knio.

The third term, Realising rights, convened by Helen Hintjens, studied more about rights based approach in achieving rights, rather than legalistic approaches, by introducing the concept of power by Foucault in the first meeting. The concept of power by Foucault also discussed by Murat Arsel by elaborating his study on the topic: Global Environmetal politics, taking example from his study on “Eurogold” mining company in Bergama versus social movement in Turkey. In this sense, there is a strong link of agency concept, human development, rights based approach, and Foucault concept on power, to be seen as the idea promoting by, or at least the dominant discourse in ISS nowadays.

RBA Everywhere
The possibility of multi interpretation on the definitions is one of the lured parts of RBA. Grass root NGOs as well as other international NGOs may develop the frame then called as RBA. It is occurred in many NGOs such as in Latin America as well as in Asia . The let say notions of RBA are not only based on elementary parts such as empowerment, participation, accountability, non discrimination, option to the marginal, and so forth, but also primarily playing in the level of ideological frame, such as claiming the rights on land which requires land reform struggle, claiming rights of the indigenous people which requires the recognition of communal rights rather than individual rights.

The unique of RBA is that there are so many definitions given by any experts and institutions views; definition based on experience, academic discourse, international laws. Also, many institutions which are difference in terms of views use the similar term, RBA, in naming their project. The projects RBA based now are not only monopolized by ‘alternative’ organizations such as OXFAM, but also the organization known as the vanguard of the views of neo liberalism, such as World Bank. World Bank is now pushing its programs in developing countries by using RBA concepts .

so, is there any ideological link of...iss..ngo-mainstream..and neo liberalism..? all comments are accepted...

saurlin




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