Introducing Foreign Models for Development: A Perspective from Translative Adaptation

This chapter presents key concepts such as translative adaptation and local learning as an essential approach for latecomer countries to realize homegrown development and provides analytical frameworks for the entire book. It also revisits Japanese experiences with industrial development and development cooperation from this perspective. Today, developing countries have plentiful opportunities to access the frontier knowledge and ‘best practices’ of other countries. Nevertheless, there is limited research on how latecomer countries might enhance their policy and societal capacity for introducing foreign models with local adaptation, and how donors can facilitate this process. The chapter emphasizes the importance of translative adaptation (originally an anthropological term coined by Keiji Maegawa) that is deeply embedded in Japan’s own modernization experiences. Translative adaptation requires foreign models be modified to fit local realities given the different structures of the home and foreign society. The development process must be wholly owned by the domestic society rather than be a simple acceptance of ‘best practice’ models. This concept is complementary to Stiglitz and Greenwald’s vision of ‘creating a learning society,’ which stresses the importance of knowledge and local learning. In conclusion, the chapter summarizes the findings of the subsequent chapters and suggests the way forward.