TITLE:
The Case for a Pragmatic Qualitative Appraisal Framework for Local Economic Development
AUTHORS:
James E. Rowe
KEYWORDS:
Deleuze, Economic Development, De-Territorialization, Lines of Flight, Performativity
JOURNAL NAME:
Modern Economy,
Vol.5 No.7,
June
25,
2014
ABSTRACT:
This paper develops a theoretical framework
and rationale for an alternative post-structuralist approach to assessing
economic development strategies. This research applies Deleuzian philosophical
concepts in order to address the limitations of current assessment
methodologies. The paper explores the history of and the reasons for the
perceived failure of the Auckland Regional Economic Development Strategy
(AREDS). This perceived failure led to the total de-territorialsiation of the
organisation tasked with implementing the strategy. Deleuzian spatial concepts,
such as flows, plateaus, rhizomes and lines of flight, are employed to develop
metaphorical tools for assessing economic development strategies, initiatives
and programmes. The framework developed is tested against AREDS. The paper
concludes that such strategies and local initiatives should be assessed based
on performance predicated on becoming instead of performance-measured outcomes.