What is Appropriate Technology
Completion requirements
URL/Ref: Practical Action, "What is Appropriate Technology?" (ITDG 1993). Read entire article (pp. 1-6).
Study Questions:
- What two regions of the world are identified as having unequal power relations with each other? Were these regions identified by Schumacher (see previous reading)? In which of these regions do you live?
- Think about what is meant by 'appropriate' and 'inappropriate' technology.
- React to the following statement: "need determines technology; technology does not determine need". Do you agree or disagree that this should be the case? Do you agree or disagree that this is historically true?
- In the article, the use of High-Yielding Varieties (HYV) rice was explained to be problematic in the Asian Green Revolution. Can you think of other examples of technologies that might have have negative, unintended consequences?
- Give a reason, based on the article, to suggest why some peoples are denied choice in determining technology that is appropriate for their needs.
Click PA_What is Appropriate Technology.pdf link to view the file.