Towards a viable approach to traditional crafts development in developing countries

Abstract EN

In this research an approach is suggested to handle the question of developing traditional crafts in developing countries.

Means were sought to tackle the problem early in twentieth century.

Two main strands of thought are discerned and applied.

They are the center-down development paradigm and development from below strategy.

The outcome of the applications is not convenient to many scholars, a fact that can be traced in the multiple versions of development theories.

This study concludes that development from above approach can be used only to conform to taste of the society like the cases of introduction of cloth fabrics.

On the hand, development from below strategy is the best option to present appropriate technology for the concerned society.

However, the success of this approach to generate the desired modernization and to attain sustainable development necessitates interventions of governments and donor agencies to facilitate problems of planning, funding and implementation, together with the efforts and participation of the intended group(s).