Seeing Like a State

James C. Scott's analysis reveals that large-scale authoritarian planning schemes, such as those seen in Brasilia and other global contexts, often fail due to their disregard for complex local interdependencies and practical knowledge. These plans, driven by high-modernist ideologies and state power, impose schematic visions that disrupt rather than improve human conditions. The study identifies four common conditions leading to these disasters: administrative ordering of nature and society, overconfidence in scientific progress, authoritarian interventions, and weak civil resistance. By contrasting formal epistemic knowledge with local practical knowledge, Scott argues for a more inclusive approach to development that respects the values and objections of affected communities.

Scott, J. C. (2017). Seeing Like a State. https://doi.org/10.12987/9780300128789