Universalitet i olika skepnader : utveckling i dialog mellan Nussbaum och Spivak

The meaning of a concept tends to be quite different depending on the context in which the concept is used. In analysing issues such us development theory it appears that different scholars have rather different opinions about the actual meaning of development. Taking issue with the dichotomy that postcolonial theory and development studies represent, this paper’s main focus has become to unite two scholars, from each field, in a constructive dialogue. By examining Martha Nussbaum’s and Gayatri Spivak’s different perceptions of development theory, the study proves a difficulty in the definition of a singular meaning of development. However it is also shown that these scholars both emphasize the importance of education in the humanities. Thus, this ameliorative approach demonstrates that universal standpoints are hard to establish but crucial for development