| ID | 092970 |
| Title Proper | Asset-based approach to indigenous development in Taiwan |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Hipwell, William T |
| Publication | 2009. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Numerous scholars studying community efforts to (re-)establish autonomy have begun to focus on the importance of empowerment in the economic, political and cultural spheres. There is a growing understanding that such empowerment can be hastened by affirmative development strategies that build on community assets and capacities rather than attempting to redress - and thereby emphasising - needs or lack. Such development work reflects intertwined currents in contemporary philosophy, influenced by the thought of Friedrich Nietzsche and of Gilles Deleuze. In Taiwan, a recent resurgence in identities among marginalised aboriginal or indigenous peoples ('Formosans') has been accompanied by novel approaches to development. This discussion heuristically employs a set of development theories that are essentially variants of 'asset-based community development' (ABCD) to suggest that a focus on affirmation and empowerment has been and can be a key to success in Formosan development initiatives. The paper presents the results of qualitative field research, illuminating three case studies of Formosan development - in Tsou, Tayal and Taroko territories. It argues that Formosan development will benefit from a focus on community capacity, political empowerment and social as well as physical assets, and that to an important degree this has already happened in some communities. |
| `In' analytical Note | Asia Pacific Viewpoint Vol. 50, No. 3; Dec 2009: p.289-306 |
| Journal Source | Asia Pacific Viewpoint Vol. 50, No. 3; Dec 2009: p.289-306 |
| Key Words | Asset - Based Community Development ; Formosans ; Indigenous Peoples ; Nietzsche ; Taiwan |