Question

Based on what you saw in Steve Lansing's TED Talk about Balinese rice farmers, do you think understanding the culture of a human group is important when designing and implementing development projects, such as the importation of the Green Revolution here? Why or why not? In your explanation, you should draw on specific examples or details from the film to illustrate your position on this.

A) Yes, understanding the culture is crucial, as demonstrated by the negative consequences of the Green Revolution in Bali due to cultural mismatch.
B) No, understanding the culture is not essential; the success of development projects depends primarily on technological advancements and scientific knowledge.
C) Yes, understanding the culture is important, but the negative consequences in Bali were primarily due to other factors unrelated to cultural considerations.
D) No, understanding the culture is irrelevant; development projects should focus solely on implementing modern technologies for economic progress.

Answer 1

Understanding the culture of a human group is crucial when designing and implementing development projects, as demonstrated by the negative consequences of the Green Revolution in Bali due to cultural mismatch.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding the culture of a human group is crucial when designing and implementing development projects, such as the importation of the Green Revolution, as demonstrated by the negative consequences in Bali due to cultural mismatch.

In Steve Lansing's TED Talk, he discussed how the cultural practices of the Balinese rice farmers, such as their water temple rituals and subak cooperative farming system, were integral to their successful and sustainable agricultural practices. The Green Revolution, with its focus on technologically-intensive farming techniques and disregard for local cultural practices, resulted in negative environmental and social impacts in Bali.

For example, the Green Revolution introduced high-response varieties of rice that required extensive chemical inputs, leading to soil degradation and water pollution.

Additionally, the introduction of large-scale irrigation systems disrupted the delicate balance of water management established by the subak system, causing conflicts among farmers. These examples highlight the importance of understanding the cultural context and adapting development projects accordingly to avoid negative consequences.