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Development Theory, Regional Politics and the Unfolding of the ‘Roadscape’ in Ladakh, North India

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  • Jonathan Demenge

Abstract

The idea that ‘more roads mean more development’ is part of conventional wisdom and is firmly entrenched in the development discourse and practice. However, what this stability and pervasiveness should not conceal is that arguments in favour of roads have evolved over time, shaping the expansion of the ‘roadscape’, that is, the part of the landscape made up by roads. I illustrate this point at three levels: global development theories, road construction in India and in Ladakh. First I demonstrate how arguments for road construction have evolved in the literature and adapted to criticisms, backing the firmly entrenched idea that roads are conducive to development. Second, I show that the expansion of the road network in India is determined by changing national priorities and policies. Finally, I attempt to account for the factors that explain the late and sudden development of the roadscape in Ladakh, namely, the role of the state and geopolitics. Together, the three levels illustrate the adaptive character of roads, as they survive successive shifts in theories and state priorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Demenge, 2015. "Development Theory, Regional Politics and the Unfolding of the ‘Roadscape’ in Ladakh, North India," Journal of Infrastructure Development, India Development Foundation, vol. 7(1), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jouinf:v:7:y:2015:i:1:p:1-18
    DOI: 10.1177/0974930615578498
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frank Ellis, 1998. "Household strategies and rural livelihood diversification," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 1-38.
    2. Porter, Gina, 2002. "Living in a Walking World: Rural Mobility and Social Equity Issues in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 285-300, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bennett, Mia M., 2018. "From state-initiated to Indigenous-driven infrastructure: The Inuvialuit and Canada’s first highway to the Arctic Ocean," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 134-148.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Roads; infrastructure; development theory; India; Ladakh;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O21 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Planning Models; Planning Policy
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East
    • R4 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics
    • R42 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government and Private Investment Analysis; Road Maintenance; Transportation Planning

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