Global flows of government practices: development technologies and their effects

this article discusses certain technologies with which government practices are diffused on a global scale and some of the effects of this process. using foucault as a main source of inspiration, the circulation of know-how and capital are seen as the principal means by which government practices are irradiated. by analyzing social techniques such as projects, programs, conditionalities, documents, international laws and others, i argue that these are fundamental conduits for devising and reproducing the global order. in a second moment, i approach some of the outcomes of developmental practices in processes of state building and other political dynamics among recipients and donor countries. i stress some of the political, economic and social impacts of local appropriations of development actions. of these, i emphasize those related to capacity building and what i call the misrecognition effect. the final remarks propose an articulated perspective on government practices that are shaped by diverse strategies.