The nature of development
Development refers to the improvement in standards of living a community experiences. Globally, Geographers have differentiated between "developed" and "developing" societies. The terms "More Economically Developed Country (MEDC)" and "Less Economically Developed Country (LEDC)" are also used. Terms like rich or poor and first world or third world are no longer considered appropriate.
More recently the terms "Newly Industrialised Countries (NICs)" and "Emerging Economies" have been used to describe countries whose economies develop substantially without experiencing much improvement in their social or political experience.
However, development is a difficult concept to compare. Firstly, because there are many variables. For example, if education and health standards improve but the environment becomes far more polluted or lifestyles are less sustainable then the society cannot be said to have "developed". For example, South Korea's economy has become far larger in recent years, but suicide rates have also grown in this time.
Similary, there are many cultural differences between societies. Because a society does something quite differently, does not mean they are less developed. In Spain, the government has abandoned their traditional siesta to increase productivity.
For these reasons, alternate terms to development have begun to appear. The OECD has started to measure "liveability" and "human well-being" is also gaining popularity.
More recently the terms "Newly Industrialised Countries (NICs)" and "Emerging Economies" have been used to describe countries whose economies develop substantially without experiencing much improvement in their social or political experience.
However, development is a difficult concept to compare. Firstly, because there are many variables. For example, if education and health standards improve but the environment becomes far more polluted or lifestyles are less sustainable then the society cannot be said to have "developed". For example, South Korea's economy has become far larger in recent years, but suicide rates have also grown in this time.
Similary, there are many cultural differences between societies. Because a society does something quite differently, does not mean they are less developed. In Spain, the government has abandoned their traditional siesta to increase productivity.
For these reasons, alternate terms to development have begun to appear. The OECD has started to measure "liveability" and "human well-being" is also gaining popularity.
The use of Indicators to measure development
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The living standards a society experiences can be measured in a number of ways. These are often called indicators of development. Firstly however, some comment should be made about measurements. Indicators at national scale are averages and can mask considerable inequality. A range of quantitative and qualitative indicators should also be used. Finally, indicators from a range of aspects should be taken into account.
Indicators may may be based on wealth, health, education social mobility or equality or environmental conditions. i. Wealth ii. Health iii. Education iv. Equality v. Environmental Condition |
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Issues arising from variations in development
Equality and development
Not all groups in a society are able to benefit equally from development. Frequently, the groups that are excluded from development are those already most disadvantaged.
a. Development and Poverty
Poor people, particularly those without access to land find it very hard to participate in the development process.
Poor people, particularly those without access to land find it very hard to participate in the development process.
b. Development and Women
Women have not always benefited from development. However, development that focuses on empowering women often enhances the effects of investment in development.
Women have not always benefited from development. However, development that focuses on empowering women often enhances the effects of investment in development.
c. Development and Indigenous People
Due to their unique culture often being quite distinct from the dominant culture, Indigenous people often fine it hard to be included in the development of a society.
Additionally, the contact process between indigenous groups and the dominant culture was frequently a very violent time in which indigenous groups were treated poorly and had much of their wealth removed from them.
Due to their unique culture often being quite distinct from the dominant culture, Indigenous people often fine it hard to be included in the development of a society.
Additionally, the contact process between indigenous groups and the dominant culture was frequently a very violent time in which indigenous groups were treated poorly and had much of their wealth removed from them.
Further Reading
https://theconversation.com/how-and-why-we-are-moving-beyond-gdp-as-a-measure-of-human-progress-68672
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/apr/05/demise-of-the-nation-state-rana-dasgupta?CMP=share_btn_link
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/apr/05/demise-of-the-nation-state-rana-dasgupta?CMP=share_btn_link