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MSc in Environment & Development Education
UNIT 4: Note on the Concept of Development
The Historical Context:
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INTRODUCTION
In this introductory session we examine the notion of DEVELOPMENT with specific reference to the following:
a -. what do we understand this notion-concept to mean;
b -. what is the origin of the concept of Development;
c -. how do we understand the connection between Development and the Environment
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THE NOTION OF "DEVELOPMENT" IS ESSENTIALLY A POST WW2 PHENOMENON....WHY IS THIS....?
Concern with the notion of what was seen as "economic" backwardness emerged out fundamental changes in world political and economic affairs.
This can be briefly summarised as follows:
1.- The end to the colonial world order
2.- the emergence of the bi-polar division of the world.
3.- the emergence of U.S. as the dominant power in the West.
4.- The emergence of the soviet Union and radical/pro-communist anti-colonialist movements throughout much of Asia, Africa, and Southern America.
Earliest Definition of the notion of Development
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+----Economistic-------> Measurable in Terms of:
a.- Gross domestic Product - GDP
b.- Per Capital Income.
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Earliest attempts at Definition:
UN -REPORT ON WORLD SOCIAL SITUATION - 1952
1.- Described existing social conditions
2.- increasing emphasis on measures to reduce POVERTY.
Despite this.....1950s @ 1960s was preoccupied with....
.................ECONOMIC QUANTIFIERS
To this there was a counter trend -------> exemplified by VARIOUS UN/INTERNATIONAL BODIES EMPHASISING SOCIAL ISSUES/SOCIAL INDICES... --------> CULMINATING IN...
1ST INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DECADE ( 1960-1970 ).
according to the ECOSOC ( Economic and Social Council for Europe)
DEVELOPMENT = ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT + SOCIAL CHANGE.
This implied Change in Economic + Social + Cultural aspect of life in the LDCs ( i.e Less Developed Countries ).
This was followed by the...UN RESEACH INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (UNRISD) - in 1963.
After 1st Decade of Development ( 1960-1970 ), it became increasing apparent to the international bodies/observers etc. that... far from ameliorating poverty.....
.......RAPID GROWTH = INCREASING INEQUALITIES
the UN Report of Experts on social Policy + Planning reported that-->
"The fact that either development leaves behind, or in some ways even creates large areas of poverty, stagnation, marginality and actual exclusion from social and economic progress is too obvious and too urgent to be overlooked."
The main failure of development policies: constrained by the straightjacket of economics --------> this was acknowledged by Robert McNamara ( president of the World Bank, by stating that the ....."1970s should be the decade of development."
UN - 1970s: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
This was directed at establishing of a UNIFIED APPROACH
This included:
a.- INCLUDE ALL POPULATION SECTORS IN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
b.- Promote/effect structural change - favouring NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ( KEYNSIAN MODEL ) - INCORPORATING ALL POPULATION SECTORS.
c.- Aimed at Social Equity - Achievement of Equitable distribution of INCOME AND WEALTH IN THE NATION.
d.- Prioritise the Development of HUMAN POTENTIALS, PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHILDREN'S NEEDS.
2ND (10 YEARS) CONCENTRATED WITH THE UNIFIED APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT.---->
This was characterised by the UN Declaration of 1974...
" Any process of Growth that does not lead to the fulfilment of these needs - or even worse, disrupts them, is a travesty of the idea of development."
THESE SENTIMENTS WERE REFLECTED IN THE 7th SPECIAL SESSION OF THE UNGA ----. ASKING FOR A MORE EFFECTIVE STRATEGY.
IN ADDITION...Such other organisations as the ILO: Conference on Employment and Income distribution, and Social Progress (1976)
offered...
THE BASIC NEEDS APPROACH
Aim: The Achievement of Basic Minimum Living Standards by the Year 2000.
FROM THIS SHIFT IN EMPHASIS EMERGED....
THE CONCEPT OF ENDOGENOUS DEVELOPMENT (UNESCO)
This vigorously criticised:
In its place, it emphasised...NATIONAL/CULTURAL PRACTICALITIES AND REALITIES..
7th SESSION of the UN ( 1975) advocated "BASIC NEEDS APPROACH"
This effectively recognise the failure of "ECONOMIC MODERNISATION" & "DEVELOPMENT" THEORIES TO DELIVER THE GOODS.....
Namely....
a.- Alleviating Poverty
b.- Reduce Hunger, Deprivation, Marginalisation.
This "Approach" proposed dealing with "BASIC HUMAN NEEDS"
Of the most disadvantaged groups ----> as these were not being met through ----> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
IN 1976...
Following UNESCO's (UNITED NATIONS EDUCATION, SCIENCE, AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION) ENDOGENOUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMM...
THE TRIPARTITE WORLD CONFERENCE ON EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME DISTRIBUTION AND SOCIAL PROGRESS
Advocated a Programme of Action...yet again
This was based on Defining and Addressing the Basic needs of Each Country's population.
BASIC CONTRADICTION....IN ENDOGENOUS APPROACHES...
....IF INITIATIVES ARE TO COME FROM WITHIN THESE SOCIETIES....WITH THEIR DIVERSE CULTURES....WHY SHOULD THIS LEAD TO DEVELOPMENT..NOW! AS IT OBVIOUSLY HAD NOT DONE SO IN THE PAST..!?
THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION OF THIS.....
.......SUSPENSION OF THE CONCEPT OF DEVELOPMENT.
THE 1980s....
is generally referred to as the...."LOST DECADE OF DEVELOPMENT"-----> This is hardly surprising....as the 1980s was the decade or privatisation and deregulation in the developed countries.
A.- THE RISE OF MONETARISM
B.- THE WIDESPREAD INTRODUCTION ( SAPS ) STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT POLICIES IN THE LDCs.
BY 1985...IT SEEMED THAT THESES CHANGES/READJUSTMENTS WERE POINTING TOWARDS A POST-DEVELOPMENT AGE...epitomised by Gilbert Rist's.... "Towards the Post Development Age..." (Geneva, 1990)
BY 1990...
THERE WERE SIGNS OF A NEW DEVELOPMENT ETHOS,
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North - AICs |
South - AICs |
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Calling for Redevelopment of mal-developed /obsolete capacity
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Development-Redevelopment---> economic reorganisation of the informal section |
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so..in the name of development and growth..dismantling all obstacles to GLOBALISATION |
NOW... THIS PROCESS/CONCEPT OF DEVELOPMENT IS BEING DEFINED AS....
A.- "SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT" --> FOR HUMANITY'S COMMON FUTURE.
OR....
B.- GREEN REVOLUTION/ENVIRONMENTAL REVOLUTION
SUSTAINING THE SUPPORTING THE FLOURISHING CONDITIONS FOR OF DIVERSE NATURAL+SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT LIFE
THRU'......
*..The contention by some is that the strategy was conceived/formulated with the former objective in mind.
1990S.... NEW BUREAUCRATIC EXERCISE UNDER THE UN...THE UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP)
THE FIRST HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT (1990)
Emphasis was placed on:
A.-ECONOMIC QUANTIFIERS
B.-"HUMAN AFFAIRS"
HERE.....Human Development is a "PROCESS" ----> leading to levels of Human Achievement.
Measured through ...THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX (HDI)---->
---> Synthesis Along a Numerical Index, Levels of Human Development in 130 Countries
3. Categories to the HDI.
1.- Life Expectancy
2.- Literacy
3.- Real GNP
Directed at achieving: "VIABLE SOCIAL TARGETS BY THE YEAR 2000."
APPENDIX
EXTRACTS FROM PRESIDENT TRUMAN'S INAUGURAL SPEECH; 20 JAN. 1949.
"The American people desire, and are determined to work for, a world in which all nations and all peoples are free to govern
themselves as they see fit, and to achieve a decent and satisfying life."
"The old imperialism exploitation for foreign profit has no place In our plans. What we envisage is a program of development based on the concepts of democratic fair-dealing."
"All countries, including our own, will greatly benefit from a constructive program for the better use of the world's human and natural resources. Experience shows that our commerce with other countries expands as they progress industrially and economically."
"In addition, we must carry out our plans for reducing the barriers to world trade and increasing its volume. Economic recovery and peace itself depend on increased world trade."
"We must embark on a bold new program for making the benefits of our scientific advances and industrial progress available for the improvement and growth of underdeveloped areas."
Dr. Frederick Nemani/December 1999