Social Struggle - For Inclusive Development and Avoiding Violent Conflict?

Drawing upon the central postulate of the author's book Kampen om utviklingen (The Struggle over Development; 2016), saying that development is a result of social struggles, this article seeks to test the robustness of this postulate. More specifically, the article identifies whether a human rights-based approach (HRBA) to development is able to challenge power asymmetries and exclusions, influencing conflicts in a constructive manner. Two main theoretical approaches are introduced, analyzed and criticized: Mouffe's theory on conflicts and Sennett's theory on cooperation. While both draw primarily upon empirical material from Western countries, there are elements of both that are relevant for societies and states on all continents. Leading research on inclusive, people-centered development and a UNDP survey among policy-makers in 15 countries identifying their approaches towards inequalities are also brought into the analysis. The analysis finds that an HRBA is potentially transforming, by influencing political priorities.