Intermediate Technology and Appropriate Technology

Abstract

The term Intermediate Technology first came into general use following the writings of E. F. Schumacher, and particularly after the setting up by him of the Intermediate Technology Development Group in 1965. ‘Intermediate Technology’ is now part of the literature of development. Intermediate Technology as conceived by Schumacher was in the context of an economist, that is, he saw I.T. as the stage between the subsistence £1 per work-place economy and the developed, several thousand pound per work-place economy. ‘Intermediate ’unfortunately has connotations of the inferior or the second rate and also implies that it is a stage to something more desirable. For these reasons ‘appropriate’ may be a more suitable choice and in fact the I.T.D.G. journal has the title ‘Appropriate Technology’ ‘Technology’ too could be criticised as implying ‘engineering machinery’ whereas in fact the Appropriate Technologist is engaged with total development which includes social and cultural factors, and in practice may be concerned with management, accountancy and marketing rather than engineering or technology. ‘Socially Appropriate Technology’ is one attempt to meet some of these objections.

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.

Romeo and Juliet W. Shakespeare