Concepts and Indicators of Development

• Development


  The social, political, cultural and economic improvement in the lives of citizens in a country
• Concepts of Development


  • Social Development
  • Political Development
  • Cultural Development
  • Economic Development
• Social Development


  Making reference to quality education, good health care, good infrastructure, and recreational facilities that are accessible to each member of society
• Political Development


  Reference to free and fair elections, no attempt to overthrow a government, a mature democracy where law and order is maintained
• Cultural Development


  The enhancement of the cultural skills and ideas of the people in the country in the cultural arts, with facilities provided/built to enhance these skills
• Economic Development


  A country's ability to generate revenue to meet its domestic and international obligations, through exploitation of natural resources, tourism, commercial agriculture, manufacturing sector, and remittances
• Sustainable Development


  Development which meets the needs of the current population without compromising the ability of the future population to meet their own needs, through the planned and balanced development of society's resources
• There should be no wholesale exploitation of the resources to the extent that it becomes injurious (harmful) to the society
• Education, health and security are also aspects of sustainable development
• Development cannot only be economic, citizens must be educated and taken care of
• Mindsets must be changed, citizens must commit to the idea of sustainable development and be empowered, with equity
• In societies where there is inequality in the distribution of income, where many live in abject poverty, daily survival will be more of a priority than the well-being of future generations
• Big businesses often hinder sustainable development as they suck resources out of countries, and it is difficult to stop them
• Human Development


  Improvement in the lives of individuals by having access to the resources in a country, development of skills in the individual, and giving persons opportunities to pursue their dreams so that they can improve their lives
• Modernization Theory


  Used to explain the advancement of societies and its progress, elaborating the development process within societies, stating that "Marginalized and underdeveloped societies develop in the same phase with that of other developed countries by providing proper support"
• Modernization Theory is based on the ideas of Emile Durkheim, who compared the development of the society to the development/evolution of an organism
• Rostow's Stages of Growth


  1. Traditional/Agrarian Society, 2. Pre-conditions for take-off, 3. Take-off-Industrialisation, 4. Drive to maturity, 5. Age of mass consumption
• Dependency Theory


  States that colonialism and neo-colonialism have created unequal economic relations between poor and wealthy countries, where poor countries have taken enormous loans from wealthy countries in order to stay afloat, preventing investment of resources into their country
• Indicators of Human Development


  • Levels of income
  • Modern knowledge
  • Improved institutions and attitudes
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

  The total market value of the output of a country, in a given year
• GNP (Gross National Product)


  The value of output produced by a country, plus any income derived from abroad
• Per/capita (Per-capita Income)


  Average income of persons in a country based on total production in that particular country
• GINI Coefficient


  Examines inequality in distribution of income in a country across different social groups over an extended period of time
• HDI (Human Development Index)


  The average measure of basic human development achievements in life expectancy, access to education, and decent standard of living
• Productivity


  The rate at which goods and services are produced so as to enhance the GDP and GNP of a country and overall economic growth
• Methods to enhance productivity


  • Provide incentives for employees
  • Application of science and technology to the business
  • Regular training for employees
  • Good management of resources
  • Good employee-employee relationship
  • Good employee/trade union/government relationship
• Good Governance


  The conduct of public affairs and management of public resources in a transparent manner to ensure corruption is minimised
• Manifestations of corrupt practices


  • Nepotism
  • Financial rewards
  • Awarding of contracts for underqualified persons
  • Material gifts
  • Sexual Favours
  • Other opportunities and services
• Responsible environmental factors like proper disposal of refuse, maintenance of drainage system, limiting deforestation, and reduction in pollution help to enhance sustainable development
• The progression of a society in which general quality of life is improved, in several aspects like healthcare, education, services and domestic and social issues, is the goal of development in the decolonisation era
• Persons in authority must be responsible and accountable to the public when public funds are being used
• Manifestations of corrupt practices


  • Nepotism
  • Financial rewards
  • Awarding of contracts for underqualified persons
  • Material gifts
  • Sexual Favours
  • Other opportunities and services
• Everyone must respect the rule of law (no-one is above the law), irrespective of social status in society
• Responsible environmental factors


  • Proper disposal of refuse
  • Maintenance of drainage system to minimise flooding
  • Limiting deforestation
  • Reduction in pollution (water, air, land)
  • Avoid squatting
• Development


  The progression of a society in which general quality of life is improved, in several aspects; healthcare & sanitation, education, services and domestic and social issues
• Economic development


  The specific goal of development in the decolonisation era was economic development through economic growth
• Economic growth refers to an increase in the value of the goods and services produced by a country within a specific period of time</b>
• Economic growth does not necessarily fix problems like poverty and inadequate schooling
• Linkages must occur between entities for development to fully take place
• Development must not be all about money, social responsibility is a must